Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East is powering ahead, with the AUD 1.7 billion (USD 1.1 billion) contract awarded to build the northern section of twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill.
The successful bidder, Terra Verde is a global consortium of Webuild, GS Engineering and Construction, and Bouygues Construction Australia – all with deep experience here and overseas, including on the Metro Tunnel Project, North East Link, the Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth, and Grand Paris Express.
The tunnel boring machines (TBMs) digging this section of twin tunnels will launch from Burwood – travelling south to Glen Waverley in 2026 – and will later travel north towards Box Hill.
Tunnels North is the second major construction contract awarded for SRL East, after the contract for the southern section of tunnels was awarded last year.
The Suburban Rail Loop East works are well advanced, with early works underway at all 6 station sites and the train stabling facility in Heatherton. Major construction kicks off in the coming weeks at the site of the new SRL station and transport super hub at Clayton.
Construction of SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill is creating up to 8000 direct jobs, with more than 1500 people already working on the project. Trains will be taking passengers in 2035.
The 3 other main works contracts are well progressed, with 3 shortlisted bidders to build the 6 underground stations, and 2 bidders vying for the Linewide contract – which includes building the trains, fitout of the tunnels and operation of the network.
- SRL East – from Cheltenham to Box Hill; construction is expected to be completed in 2035. USD 25.9 billion is the estimated value of the construction of this section.
- SRL North – from Box Hill to Melbourne Airport which is expected to be completed by 2053.
- SRL West – from Melbourne Airport to Werribee.
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