Traffic chaos expected as Flinders Street lane closes for four years

The shutdown is expected to create a bottleneck for the thousands of vehicles that use Princes Bridge to cross the Yarra River, and for those travelling down Russell Street.

The around-the-clock construction work is to build the Metro Tunnel and the underground train platforms.

The closure allows for major works on the new Town Hall station at Federation Square.

Huge concrete support columns are being drilled into the ground, which will allow the Town Hall station to be safely built down to 35 metres under the CBD.

The Melbourne Visitor Centre is also being torn down to make way for a giant 18 metre high acoustic shed, after Heritage Victoria recently granted a permit for the major construction.

Night works to prepare for construction of the Federation Square entrance will also be undertaken throughout October and in November, between 10pm and 5am.

A pedestrian tunnel will also be built to connect the new underground Town Hall station to Flinders Street Station and the City Loop.

“We said we would build a Metro Tunnel station entrance on the doorstep of Federation Square and we’re getting on with it," Public Transport Minister Jacinta Allan said.

“By freeing up the City Loop, space will be created on the network for more than half a million extra peak passengers every week.”

Cyclists and pedestrians will be able to move through the area and tram services along Swanston and Flinders streets will not be affected.