Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East is powering ahead, with the $1.7bn contract to build the northern section of twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill awarded to the Terra Verde consortium, comprising Webuild, GS Engineering and Construction, and Bouygues Construction Australia.
The TBMs digging this 10km section of twin tunnels will launch from Burwood – travelling south to Glen Waverley in 2026 – and will later travel north towards Box Hill. Tunnelling is expected to start in 2026.
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.
SRL East works are well advanced, with early works underway at all six 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 three other main works contracts are well progressed, with three shortlisted bidders to build the six underground stations just announced. Place Alliance (John Holland, Arup Australia Projects and Kellogg Brown and Root), Eastern Stations Precinct Alliance (Lendlease and WSP Australia) and Connexus Alliance (CPB Contractors, Multiplex and GHD) will bid for two contracts – one to build the stations at Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill; and another to build the stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, and Monash.
Two bidders are also vying for the Linewide contract – which includes building the trains, fitout of the tunnels and operation of the network.
The contract to build the stations between Glen Waverley and Box Hill will be awarded in 2026 – the third major construction contract awarded for the project. The two remaining bidders will then compete for the second stations contract.
Construction of SRL East is powering ahead, with works underway at all 6 station sites and 1500 people already working on the project. Tunnelling starts in 2026, with trains taking passengers in 2035.
SRL East will open up access to key health, employment and education destinations in Melbourne’s east and south east, and will deliver direct train access for the first time to Monash and Deakin universities.
As Australia’s largest housing project, SRL will attract thousands of homes, jobs and services to the neighbourhoods surrounding the new stations. We’re doing the important planning now – in consultation with the community and local councils – to ensure they are vibrant places to live, work and study in the future.
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