Three contractors confirmed for US$2.4bn tunnelling work on Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East

Digital render of a train running on the SRL East line in Melbourne (Image: Aurecon)

A consortium of three contractors has been confirmed for an A$3.6 billion (US$2.4 billion) tunnelling package on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East public transport project in Melbourne, Australia.

The confirmation that Cimic Group subsidiary CPB Contractors, Acciona and Ghella would be responsible for tunnelling on a 16km section the line’s 26km twin tunnels as part of the Suburban Connect consortium came after they were named preferred bidders in September.

They will also build two new station boxes for the line.

Major tunnelling works are due to start in 2026.

Juan Santamaría, CEO of Cimic Group’s parent company Hochtief, said, “CPB Contractors is an industry leader in the delivery of complex construction and brings decades of experience to this first major package of SRL East, providing critical transport connections for the city.

“We are pleased to be selected by the Victorian Government to construct this valuable piece of infrastructure, improving the lives of people across east and south east Melbourne.”