Shortlisted builders announced for SRL East tunnelling works in VIC

The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) development in Victoria has marked another major milestone with the announcement of three global industry leaders shortlisted for the tunnelling contracts under SRL East. 

Five outstanding bids for tunnelling works were received for SRL East and three are now invited to submit a detailed Request for Proposal. The shortlist consists of: 

• CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, Ghella Pty Ltd and ACCIONA Construction Australia Pty Ltd – these companies are involved in Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, Sydney Metro in New South Wales, Vancouvers’ Broadway Millenium Subway and the Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal 
• John Holland Pty Ltd and Gamuda Berhad trading as Gamuda (Australia) Branch – these companies have experience building Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel, Sydney Metro Northwest Tunnel, Malaysia’s Klang Valley Mass Rapid Transit, and Melbourne’s City Loop 
• Webuild S.p.A and GS Engineering and Construction Australia Pty Ltd – these companies have experience in projects such as the North East Link tunnels, Copenhagen’s Cityringen and projects in the Middle East and Asia 

“This competitive process has been a massive vote of confidence in Suburban Rail Loop – with construction giants from around the world vying to partner with us to deliver this city-shaping project,” Suburban Rail Loop CEO Frankie Carroll said. 

The first contract will include the delivery of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley and it is expected to be awarded next year. The second contract, on the other hand, will include the construction of tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill. 

Tunnelling works are expected to commence in 2026, with up to ten tunnel boring machines (TBMs) utilised to dig out the twin tunnels. The works are going to be split into two separate contracts as this ensures the project is delivered as efficiently as possible with minimal disruptions to the community. 

Excluding the tunnel boring machines, contractors are required to deliver up to 92 per cent local content to build this project, providing a significant boost to the State’s steel and concrete industries. 

SRL East is estimated to create up to 8,000 local jobs during its construction phase, delivering a pipeline of employment as well as training opportunities – about 10 per cent of total hours worked are expected to be done by apprentices, trainees and cadets. 

“SRL East is a project Victoria needs, and we’re getting on with delivering this city-shaping network and the many thousands of jobs during construction – this is an exciting day as we move closer to the start of tunnelling,” Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Jacinta Allan said. 

Suburban Rail Loop map (source: Victoria's Big Build)

The entire Suburban Rail Loop project is going to be built in sections – SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill, SRL North from Box Hill to Melbourne Airport and SRL West from Melbourne Airport to Werribee. 

Initial works on SRL East have already commenced in Clayton and just last month, the green light was given for major construction following the planning process for the Environmental Effects Statement (EES). 

SRL East will include: 

• Twin 26-kilometre rail tunnels 
• Six new underground stations, including four with interchanges to existing stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley and Box Hill, as well as new stations at Monash and Burwood 
• A transport super hub at Clayton for regional passengers 
• A train stabling facility and power supply substation at Heatherton 
• An emergency support facility at Mount Waverley, including an intervention and ventilation facility and backup control centre 
• A power supply substation at Burwood 
• A dedicated fleet of new high-tech trains 

Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Suburban Rail Loop (1, 2); Engage Victoria