The Suburban Connect Consortium, consisting of Ghella from Italy, Acciona from Spain, and CPB from Australia, has been appointed by the Government of Victoria as the preferred bidder for the initial Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East main works contract.
The contract encompasses the construction of 16 kilometres of twin tunnels, which will span from Cheltenham to Glen Waverley, making them the longest tunnels in the state of Victoria. The Tunnel boring machines (TBMs) are scheduled to commence excavation activities in 2026, and the contract award is anticipated to be executed by the end of the year.
Suburban Rail Loop - East Package Summary
Project Name / Package | Suburban Rail Loop (East Package) |
Location | Melbourne (Victoria, Australia) |
Preferred Bidder | Suburban Connect Consortium (Ghella-Acciona-CPB JV) |
Contract Award | Expected in Q4 2023 |
Contracted Value | Still Confidential as of Sep/2023 (To be released after contract execution) |
Scope |
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Key Features |
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Suburban Rail Loop - Project Details
The Suburban Rail Loop project is set to introduce a 90-kilometer rail line that will seamlessly connect all major train services, bridging the gap between the Frankston Line and the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport.
This comprehensive rail network aims to enhance connectivity for Victorians, providing easy access to job opportunities, retail centers, educational institutions, healthcare services, and fostering greater community interaction.
The project further includes the development of three pivotal transport super hubs strategically located at Clayton, Broadmeadows, and Sunshine.
These hubs will facilitate the integration of regional services, eliminating the need for passengers residing outside Melbourne to traverse the CBD when accessing employment, world-class hospitals, and universities situated in the suburbs.
The deliver strategy adopted by the Victorian Government has split into four major packages (refer to figure below):
- SRL West – From Werribee to Sunshine
- SRL Airport – From Sunshine to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine)
- SRL North – Melbourne Airport to Box Hill
- SRL East – From Box Hill to Cheltenham (This package)
Suburban Rail Loop - East Package
The Suburban Rail Loop East Package, stretching from Cheltenham to Box Hill, is designed to seamlessly connect key employment hubs, healthcare facilities, educational institutions, and retail destinations in Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern regions.
This transformative rail line will drastically reduce travel times, benefiting commuters along the Gippsland corridor and generating approximately 8,000 direct job opportunities concurrently.
The Suburban Connect Consortium (Ghella-Acciona-CPB JV) will construct a critical 16-kilometre section within the project’s total 26-kilometre of twin tunnels. This segment encompasses tunnelling operations between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley, establishing two new underground station boxes, and construction activities at the Southern Stabling Yard.
The preliminary works for the East Package have already started, with the early works contract awarded to Laing O’Rourke (LOR) in 2021. The Victorian Government has appointed LOR as the managing contractor for the AUD 500M preliminary works package.
Significant works and tunnelling activities are expected to commence in 2026, with the deployment of six tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to excavate the 16 kilometres of twin tunnels.
Suburban Connect Consortium JV - Leadership Comments
The collaboration between Ghella, CPB Contractors, and ACCIONA on the Suburban Rail Loop project has marked a significant milestone, particularly for Ghella, as it represents their inaugural venture into the state of Victoria.
Marco Fontana, Ghella‘s Australian Managing Director, expressed enthusiasm for working alongside their long-term partners, CPB and ACCIONA, on this transformative project that will have a profound impact on Melbourne’s residents.
Jason Spears, Managing Director of CPB Contractors, emphasized their commitment to supporting local communities and businesses while collaborating closely with the Suburban Rail Loop Authority.
Bede Noonan, CEO Australia & New Zealand at ACCIONA, expressed pride in contributing to the betterment of Melbourne’s residents through sustainable infrastructure solutions in partnership with CPB Contractors and Ghella.
