Motorists are bracing for years of congestion along one of Melbourne's busiest thoroughfares as work starts on a key section of the Metro Tunnel next month.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
St Kilda Road will be reduced to one lane in both directions between Kings Way/Toorak Road West and Dorcas Street for up to four years.
Grattan Street will also close in both directions between Royal Parade to Leicester Street for up to five years.
The work is expected to start in mid to late February.
The roads will remain open to trams, bicycles and pedestrians but the move is expected to cause years of congestion for drivers.
Acting Roads Minister Luke Donnellan warned on Monday there would be disruptions, but said "there is simply no other way of doing it".
Both roads will be dug up to build train stations for the Metro Tunnel.
Tram lines will be moved several times during the process, but trams would continue to run throughout most of the construction.
There will also be some changes to bus routes and timetables during the works.
Mr Donnellan said motorists should leave 15 minutes extra travel time if they travel along the affected stretch of St Kilda Road, or through Parkville.
"These works will be disruptive but are absolutely necessary to build the badly-needed Metro Tunnel as safely and quickly as possible," he said.
The $11 billion Metro Tunnel project is expected to be completed by 2026.
