Construction has started on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East—a new rail line from Cheltenham to Box Hill and one of the most important projects in Victoria’s history. SRL East will deliver better public transport with frequent train services, connect communities and reduce traffic congestion for future generations.
Minister for Suburban Rail Loop, Jacinta Allan said, “Work has now started on the Suburban Rail Loop—an iconic project Victorians voted for, and one that will transform the way we move around the state.
“The project will create thousands of jobs and connect our suburbs—making it easier, faster and more convenient for all Victorians to access our fastest growing employment, health, education and retail centres.
“We’re excited to see construction start—SRL East will connect people across the east and southeast to workplaces, education, health and retail centres, delivering thousands of new jobs—and we’re getting on with building it.”
The new station at Clayton will be a major interchange, connecting regional Victorians to the train network and will be one of the busiest stations on the network
Construction is now underway in Clayton, with a tiny remote-controlled machine digging a new 630- metre sewer pipe. The first stage of work will create up to 800 local jobs—and workers are using technology designed to reduce community disruption.
The machine is just 32 centimetres wide and is working around five metres underground. The work will be finished within six months.
The first phase of works for SRL East will also include road changes, moving underground services and preparing sites for the tunnel boring machines which will dig the rail tunnels.
Up to 10 tunnel boring machines will dig the tunnels linking the six new underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill. A trip from Cheltenham to Box Hill will take just 22 minutes.
SRL East will be operating by 2035—the first of three stages of the 90-kilometre train line that will link every major rail line in Melbourne via the airport. Suburban Rail Loop will connect major employment, health and education centres, create jobs and training opportunities, and reduce travel times.
The new station at Clayton will be a major interchange, connecting regional Victorians to the train network and will be one of the busiest stations on the network.
The SRL East Environment Effects Statement process has finished and has been endorsed by the Minister for Environment, with the main recommendations including more business support and parkland.
SRL East will create up to 8,000 jobs during construction, with exciting opportunities for training, and local industry and suppliers.
Two million hours of work has been completed on the project so far—workers have completed thousands of lab tests and surveys, with drilling at more than 870 sites.
Suburban Rail Loop will shape our city for future generations and transform our public transport network—and it is now underway.
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