Future Expansion
The Victorian Government has intimated that the Loop could be expanded with the addition of a further two tunnels on a third level. The Loop (and particular tunnels especially) is slowly approaching capacity, but any extension would not occur for at least 20 to 30 years at current service levels. Other more nebulous schemes have been suggested that would see a new linear railway running under the city centre from north to south, following the line of Swanston Street. The north-south plan has been suggested by Sir Rod Eddington, In his report that examines possible options to relieve the pressure on Melbourne's rail network. A third level to the loop is not believed to be under consideration, and is not suggested by his report. The north-south tunnel forms part of the future Melbourne Metro, announced by the State Government as part of the Victorian Transport Plan.
Suggestions have been made to include Melbourne University, with adjacent Royal Melbourne Hospital, Royal Women's Hospital and nearby Royal Children's Hospital, on the Loop. This proposal was considered at the time of Loop construction, but was ruled out for cost reasons. With the increase in passenger numbers since then, the trams currently servicing this area suffer severe overcrowding at peak times and the call for a Loop expansion has been raised again. The Victorian State Government announced in December 2008, as part of the Victorian Transport Plan, that it would commence planning for a new underground rail tunnel linking suburban lines from the north western suburbs to the south east, with new stations at Melbourne University and the Kings Domain (St Kilda Road), and interchanges with the existing city loop and other suburban routes at Melbourne Central and Flinders Street.
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