Acting Premier James Merlino joined Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, on April 28th, to announce Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now being sought to deliver Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel.
The Public Private Partnership – expected to be in the range of A$6 billion ($4.43 billion US) – will deliver the 9km twin tunnels under the CBD, and five new underground stations.
EOI documentation is available on the Victorian Government Tenders website, with responses due by 2pm on 9 June 2016.
The start of the Metro Tunnel procurement process was made possible by the May 27th announcement that the Andrews Labor Government would fully fund and deliver the project. The guaranteed funding has given the market the stability it needs to enter the tender process, following significant interest from some of the world’s biggest construction and engineering firms.
The new Metro Tunnel will give the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines their own tunnel through the CBD, which will free up space in the Loop to run more trains in and out of the City. It includes five new underground stations, at Arden, Parkville and Domain, and two new city stations directly connected to Flinders Street and Melbourne Central.
Early works begin next year, with the major construction delivered through this package to start in 2018, and the project set to create 3,700 Victorian jobs.
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