The first stage of the Allan Labor Government's Suburban Rail Loop project is powering ahead with the appointment of the preferred bidder for the second tunnelling contract for SRL East.
Made up of a global consortium of leaders in tunnelling - including WeBuild S.p.A, GS Engineering and Construction Australia, and Bouygues Construction Australia - Terra Verde will be responsible for constructing the 10-kilometre northern twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill following contract negotiations.
In Box Hill, major piling works are already underway on Whitehorse Road as crews build a temporary bridge to keep traffic flowing during construction.
Suburban Connect were awarded the $3.6 billion contract in late 2023 to complete the 16-kilometre southern twin tunnel between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. Site investigations and preparatory work are currently making way for tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to begin work in 2026.
The package to build the high-tech fleet of SRL trains, fit out the tunnels, install signalling and operate and maintain the network will be awarded next year - with the two contracts to build the six new underground stations to follow.
The Suburban Rail Loop will transform Victoria - and by 2026, tunnel boring machines will be in the ground and more than 4,000 people will be directly working on the project.
SRL East will deliver train stations at Deakin and Monash universities, the connection of four major rail corridors - including a hub for Gippsland passengers at Clayton, 70,000 new homes and 230,000 new job opportunities throughout the surrounding precincts - with trains expected to be running by 2035.
SRL will be key to providing the housing and transport connections Victoria needs - cutting congestion and creating up to 8,000 construction jobs during its first stage.
The project is currently supporting more than 1,200 workers across all six station sites, including a workforce of more than 41 per cent women across the Suburban Rail Loop Authority.
SRL is helping women take up careers in major projects through its Graduate Program and 2024 marks the strongest representation to date with women making up 44 per cent of the intake.
The project is backed by an $11.8 billion investment by the Labor Government and a $2.2 billion investment from the Albanese Labor Government.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"We promised Victorians we'd get on with building the Suburban Rail Loop, and that's exactly what we're doing."
As stated by Minister for the Suburban Rail Loop Danny Pearson
"This is an exciting milestone as we prepare for construction to begin on the tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill in 2026 - we're making huge progress and creating thousands of jobs to deliver this city-shaping project."
As stated by Member for Box Hill Paul Hamer
"The Suburban Rail Loop is here to stay, and it will deliver better transport connections, more homes and jobs."
As stated by Member for Ashwood Matt Fregon
"We are not wasting a day as we continue works at all six station sites across the Suburban Rail Loop."
As stated by Member for Glen Waverley John Mullahy
"SRL is powering ahead to cut congestion and get people to work, home or uni sooner."
