Key components of the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East have begun arriving in Melbourne, marking a major step towards the start of tunnelling later this year.
The Tunnels South package is being delivered by Suburban Connect, a consortium of global tunnelling leaders including CPB Contractors, Ghella and Acciona Construction. The contract includes 16 kilometres of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley - Victoria’s longest tunnels.
Major construction is now underway at Heatherton, where crews are building two tunnel entrances on the site of the future SRL train stabling facility. TBM launch sites are also being built at Clarinda and Burwood.
Due to varying ground conditions along the alignment, different TBM types will be used, including slurry machines for mixed ground conditions and convertible TBMs that will transition to earth pressure balance mode in softer ground around Cheltenham. Each TBM will be just over seven metres in diameter, up to 150 metres long, and powered by 100 per cent renewable electricity.
The first TBM has been shipped to Melbourne, with its 78-tonne cutterhead recently arriving in Heatherton.
With more than 3,000 people already working across SRL East, these arrivals signal growing momentum as tunnelling preparations continue.
On completion, SRL will comprise 90 km of rail line linking every major train service from Frankston Line to the Werribee Line via Melbourne Airport.