“The project is currently at its most complex phase – as we continue testing advanced technology that has never been used on the Victorian rail network,” the spokesperson said.
The Metro Tunnel project consists of a nine-kilometre underground tunnel under the CBD between Kensington and South Yarra. It will connect the Sunbury and Dandenong lines via five new inner-city stations.
The project is in a period of intense testing and trial operations before passenger services begin.
The Metro Tunnel stations have platform screen doors – a first in Victoria.Credit: Justin McManus
The Age has previously revealed that the project is working towards a “soft opening” in November, with limited services at first, before implementing a full-service timetable in February next year.
Trains are controlled automatically by a new high-capacity signalling system in the tunnel.
Loading
One source familiar with the incident, but unable to speak publicly, said at least five trains were in the tunnel during the incident. The automated signalling system applied emergency brakes during the fault, bringing the trains to a sudden halt without input from the drivers, they said.
Up to 12 trains are being used at once during the testing phase, and they are operating as frequently as one every three minutes in each direction.
Last year, the NSW government was forced to delay the opening of Sydney’s new Chatswood to Sydenham metro by two weeks after failing to gain approval from the Office of the National Rail Safety Regulator (ONRSR) in time.
ONRSR confirmed to The Age that the Metro Tunnel project was “progressively providing the evidence” from its testing programs for the regulator’s assessment.
“The assessment verifies that all risks to safety have been identified and that the appropriate systems and processes are in place to manage them,” an ONRSR spokesperson said.
“ONRSR will assess the application as quickly as possible (once all the evidence supporting the safety case is received) noting that it requires sufficient time to undertake that assessment.”
NSW Premier Chris Minns later apologised for announcing an opening date for the Sydney Metro before it received final safety approvals.
Construction of the Metro Tunnel began in early 2017.