Victorian Government frontbencher Steve Dimopoulos has defended the state’s $15 billion Metro Rail Tunnel project amid reports it will not be fully operational by the end of the year, as originally suggested.
Initial denials from the government were walked back after Nine newspapers reported that while some services will use the new nine-kilometre tunnels in 2025, peak-hour trains will continue to run via the City Loop until early 2026.
The delay is reportedly due to construction setbacks at the Town Hall and State Library stations.
Dimopoulos initially dismissed the report as “wrong” but later admitted it was “pre-emptive,” acknowledging that timetabling was still being finalised.
“We haven’t landed the timetable,” he said, promising further details later in the year.
Despite concerns, Dimopoulos downplayed commuter disappointment: “I don’t think people are going to be anything but overjoyed when they walk through those five stations.”
He also criticised the article’s reliance on anonymous sources, stating, “Anonymity comes with a lack of responsibility.”
Dimopoulos rejected claims of a delay, saying the project was initially slated to open in late 2026. “It’ll be open by the end of this year, so it’s a year early,” he argued.
However, Opposition Leader Brad Battin criticised the lack of clarity, stating, “No one knows when it’s going to open, which stations, or how many trains will run.”
Commuter advocate Daniel Bowen echoed the public’s confusion, warning a partial opening would be “not ideal” and could complicate journeys.
Source: ABC.
