Following a competitive tender process, the $6 billion contract to design and build the Metro Tunnel and five new associated underground stations has been awarded to the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) – a consortium comprising of LendLease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital.
"We're building the turn-up and go train system Victoria has been waiting for. We've chosen the design, we've chosen the builders and we're getting on with it," Premier Daniel Andrews said.
This contract award will be paving the way for more trains as well as the creation of thousands of jobs across Victoria. Construction of the tunnels and stations will create over 5,000 jobs which includes opportunities for apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.
"We don't just talk about it - we're building the train network Victoria needs and creating thousands of local jobs," the Premier said.
This project will involve building five new underground stations, with each one having its own identity. The stations will be having wider platforms, more natural lighting and sweeping arches which will bring a world-class urban design to the heart of Melbourne as well as its train network.
Above ground, there will be revitalised open spaces at the five new stations and additional entrances which will reduce crowding on major streets in the CBD. This will include two entrances at City Square, one each on Swanston Street, Flinders Street, Federation Street, Franklin Street and La Trobe Street.
A new entrance will be constructed on the doorstep of the Royal Melbourne Hospital at Parkville which will provide better access to the hospital for thousands of people from Melbourne and regional Victoria.
Underground walkways will be built at Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations, allowing passengers to change between the Metro Tunnel stations and the City Loop.
"The Metro Tunnel will free up space in the City Loop to run more trains, more often across Melbourne.
"The Metro Tunnel will change Melbourne forever with a world class design that will see new open space, terraced seating and sweeping arches," Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said.
The station at Domain will be featuring a floating canopy and will be sitting below the new tram interchange on St Kilda Road, which will help relieve the pressure on the busy tram corridor.
Early works on the project are well underway and major construction on the stations and tunnel is expected to commence in 2018.
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Source: Premier of Victoria and The Australian Business Review