3 shortlisted to build The Metro Tunnel in Melbourne

Three consrotia have just been shortlisted by the Victorian Government for the contract to build the Metro Tunnel and five new underground train stations in Melbourne. 

Premier Daniel Andrews affirmed "the best construction companies in the world are lining up to build the biggest public transport project in Australia – the Metro Tunnel" and was looking forward to a Melbourne with trains running so often that you don't need a timetable. 

The shortlisted bidders for the $6 billion Public Private Partnership (PPP) to build the biggest public transport project in Victorian history:

• Continuum Victoria – comprising ACCIONA Infrastructure, Ferrovial Agroman, Honeywell, Downer EDI and Plenary Origination
• Cross Yarra Partnership – comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital
• Moving Melbourne Together – comprising Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ghella, Salini Impregilo, Serco and Macquarie Capital

The project will employ some 4,700 workers as part of the PPP to build and fit-out the nine-kilometre Metro Tunnel and the five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.

A spokesmen for the minister also provided new details about the construction of the tunnels. 

"Up to six tunnel boring machines (TBMs) [are] set to be used during construction, each up to 100 metres long and weighing more than 1,000 tonnes."

"In preparation for this significant work, three giant shafts will be excavated in the CBD – at Franklin Street and A’Beckett Street near Melbourne Central station, and at City Square near Flinders Street Station."

"The shafts will be up to 11 storeys deep and will enable the roadheaders to be lowered into the ground to begin excavating around two million cubic metres of soil and rock – enough to fill 800 Olympic-sized swimming pools." 

Expressions of Interest were called in late April of this year, and shortlisted bidders will submit a formal proposal by early 2017 and the contract award is due by the end of 2017. Work will begin in 2018. 

John Holland was awarded the first major metro tunnel contact in June, excavating massive shafts in Melbourne's CBD as part of prepartion works.