Underground power upgrades – Flinders Lane to Balston Street, Melbourne CBD

Works and locations

We’re undertaking works in stages across the below areas:

• Flinders Lane, Melbourne
• Market Street, Melbourne
• Queens Bridge Street, Melbourne
• City Road, Southbank
• Kavanaugh Street, Southbank
• Balston Street, Southbank

This work involves digging trenches across roads and footpaths and there may be changes to the way you travel while works are underway.

The work will be undertaken in stages including:

• Underground service investigation works – during this stage of work, our crews trench or bore underground to understand what is currently located within the proposed work areas (this includes assets like telecommunication, gas, sewer etc.)
• Conduit installation works – during this stage of work, our crews will trench or bore underground to install the conduits that will house new electrical cables
• Cable installation and hauling works – during this stage of work, our crews will install and pull cables through conduits
• Testing and connection works – this involves completing testing on newly installed cables to ensure they are ready for use
• Reinstatement works – once works are complete, this stage involves back filling open excavations and pouring concrete or asphalt to make work areas accessible for vehicles and pedestrians.

What to expect

• While works are underway, local traffic to car parks and service entrances will be maintained at all times
• Traffic controllers and signage will be in place to help motorists, pedestrians and cyclists to move safely around work areas
• Electricity supply will be maintained, there are no planned outages during these works
• On completion of these works, any disturbed areas will be reinstated.

We’ll keep this page up-to-date as works progress.

Current progress 

Balston Street, Southbank

We’re currently completing testing and connection works on Balston Street.

Works will take place intermittently from Tuesday 24 June until mid-July 2025, Monday to Friday, between 7am and 5pm.

While works are underway, Balston Street will be closed westbound from Kavanagh Street during the works. Please refer to the map below with detour information.

Local access within the closure zone will be maintained by our traffic management team.

Current progress

Queensbridge Street, Melbourne

We’re undertaking boring works and conduit installation on Queens Bridge Street, beneath the rail bridge.

Works will take place intermittently from Tuesday 24 June until late-July 2025, Monday to Friday, between 7am and 5pm.

While this work is underway, there will be a southbound road closure on Queensbridge Street from the corner of Flinders Street. Please refer to the map below with detour information.

While this section of Queens Bridge Street is closed, local traffic access to Banana Alley will be maintained by our traffic management team.