Preferred bidder for the second tunnelling contract for SRL East announced

SRL-East-tunnelling

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A global consortium of leaders in tunnelling has been announced as 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.

Commissioned by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, the contract entails the excavation of the tunnels between the future stations of Box Hill and Glen Waverley; the creation of 39 cross passages between them; two station boxes; two tunnel access shafts; and one intervention and ventilation shaft. The tunnels will be excavated using four tunnel-boring machines (TBMs) (Source: Webuild).

GS E&C’s Chief Executive Officer Mr Yoon Hong Huh said, “GS E&C, as part of the Terra Verde joint venture, brings experienced local personnel and expertise, coupled with unrivalled global scale, resources and experience. We also bring experience in delivery of major projects in Victoria, including North East Link.”

GS E&C Australia’s Managing Director Dr Steve Sung-han Cho said, “As part of Terra Verde joint venture, we are committed to building the future industry capability within Victoria, with a focus on supporting local businesses and creating local jobs.”

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.

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – Melbourne’s biggest infrastructure investment

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.

Source: © Copyright State Government of Victoria

Source: GS Engineering and Construction

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