Major delays as Melbourne Metro ramps up

One of Melbourne's busiest roads is set for major disruption as construction on the Metro Tunnel ramps up.

St Kilda Road, the major route into the city, is set to be reduced to one lane of traffic and trams will be stopped between July 1 and 11, the government said on Thursday.

Tram passengers will be forced to use replacement buses between Domain Road and High Street and motorists are being advised to avoid the road or allow an extra 30 minutes travel time.

""This massive construction blitz will be disruptive," Premier Daniel Andrews said.

"We make no apologies for building the trains, trams and roads Victorians need to get home safer and sooner."