One of the most important projects in Victoria’s history is now underway, with construction starting today on Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – a jobs juggernaut that will deliver better public transport, connect communities and ease road congestion for generations to come.

Construction kicked off in Clayton this morning with works to lay a new 630m sewer pipe – dug by a remote-controlled micro-tunnelling machine –beginning a massive program of initial and early works which will create up to 800 local jobs.

The first phase of works for SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will also include road modifications, service relocation and preparation for three sites where the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be launched.

Up to 10 TBMs are expected to carve the 26km of twin tunnels, linking the 6 new underground stations.

SRL East will be open by 2035 – the first of 3 stages of the 90km orbital loop linking every major rail line via the airport – connecting major employment, health and education centres, creating a pipeline of jobs and training opportunities, and slashing travel times. A trip from Cheltenham to Box Hill will take just 22 minutes.

The new station at Clayton will be a transport super hub – connecting regional Victorians to SRL and one of the busiest interchange stations on the network.

SRL East will generate up to 8,000 jobs during construction, with exciting opportunities for local industry and suppliers. The Clayton site has been established by Indigenous construction firm Wamarra – the first sub-contractor employed on this city-shaping project.

Over more than 2 million hours, workers have completed thousands of lab tests and surveys, and geotechnical investigations at more than 840 sites.

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/suburban-rail-loop/construction-starts-today-on-srl-east