Analysis of Tunneling in Melbourne's Underground Rail Loop System

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the Melbourne underground rail loop project. It begins with an introduction to tunneling, its historical context, and its application in modern cities to reduce congestion. The report then details the history of tunneling in Melbourne, starting from 1929, including the planning stages, the formation of the Melbourne Underground Rail Loop Authority (MURLA), and the construction methods used, such as tunnel boring machines and conventional boring methods. It describes the construction of various loops, including the Burnley Loop and the double-track concrete viaducts. The report concludes by highlighting the project's completion in 1985, its successful service to the city, and the need for future planning to address capacity issues. It also references the benefits of tunneling to meet the increasing demand for space. The report includes references to relevant sources, such as BBC News and Department of Transport.

Tunneling in Melbourne 1
Introduction
A tunnel is a horizontal passage that is
excavated underground for the purpose of
transportation. The largest tunnel ever built
in the world is Gotthard tunnel in
Switzerland which is 57km1. Tunneling
started about 3000 years ago as a way of
years ago as a way of building underground
houses and bridges that were very stable2.
Later, the Babylonians and Persians used
them to transport water for irrigation in the
underground tunnels to the desert in order to
facilitate agricultural activities in the
desert2.
They have since become common in
developed Cities for they have been seen as
potential means of reducing congestion.
Melbourne City
Tunneling has been utilized in Melbourne
city since 1985. The city has three
underground stations which are Parliament,
Melbourne Central and Flagstaff which form
a loop with other two above ground stations
called Melbourne Underground Rail Loop3.
The Melbourne tunnels were as a result of
congestion which was experienced in
Flinders Street’s Suburban terminus in the
1970s. Hence, the tunnels were could
increase the number of trains per platform
from 10 per hour to 24.
Planning for the underground railway for the
Melbourne City started way back in 1929.
The plan was steered by the by Metropolitan
Town Planning Commission through its
report. The underground bypass was to run
from Richmond to North Melbourne stations
through Exhibitions and Victoria streets.
The plan was improved in the following
years and added more platforms in order to
deal with not only the menace of
overcrowding but also to win back the
investment on private cars. In 1960 test
bores sunk under the City of Melbourne
Underground Railway Construction Act
thou no funds had been provided by then.
Because of the need for more car parking
space a special committee was selected to
look into the issue which included the
tunnels in its final report4.
Tunnel Construction
In 1971, Melbourne Underground Rail Loop
Authority (MURLA) was mandated with the
TUNNELING IN MELBOURNE
First A. Author, Second B. Author, Jr., and Third C. Author

Tunneling in Melbourne 2
role of overseeing the construction and
operation of the loop. In 1972, tunneling
works started under the city streets using the
tunnel boring machine and conventional
boring methods. Cut and cover tunneling
was used to construct access ramps in the
North Melbourne, Spencer Street and
Jolimont Yard. Later, using the mining
method the Flagstaff and Parliament were
sunk. In 1977 the first tunnel of Burnley
Loop was completed3
Other loops were constructed including
double track concrete viaduct with a greater
capacity which commenced in 1975 and was
completed in 1978. The traction power were
turned on and the first test train running in
19805.
Conclusion
The Melbourne underground rail loop
construction project was completed in 1985,
and has since served the city perfectly for
approximately 20 years and it is reaching its
capacity hence future planning need to
address the issue of capacity.
Due to the success of the tunnels, it is a
venture that needs to be explored in order to
address the increased demand for space.
This can only be done if the underlying
challenges about tunneling are tackled.

Tunneling in Melbourne 3
References
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[1] REUTERS. (2016) Gotthard tunnel: World's longest and deepest rail tunnel opens in Switzerland.
[Online]. https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36423250
[2] Gary Brierley. (2014) Tunneling: A Historical Perspective. [Online].
https://tunnelingonline.com/tunneling-historical-perspective/
[3] S E Dornan and R G Henderson, Electric Railways of Victoria. Sydney, 1979.
[4] Robert Stuart, The railways of Victoria 1854-2004 / Robert Lee.: Melbourne University Publishing,
2009, 2009.
[5] Department of Transport. (2009) Victoria The Place To Be. [Online].
http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20090520044857/http://www.doi.vic.gov.au/DOI/Internet/
transport.nsf/AllDocs/74164766E0CEAF95CA25700500122952?OpenDocument
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