The Victorian Government has announced it will fully fund the construction of Melbourne’s new Metro Tunnel, which includes nine kilometre twin tunnels and five new underground stations.
Following the government’s funding announcement, the $6billion project has now reached the tender process.
Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino and Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, announced that Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now being sought to deliver the new project.
Victorian Acting Premier James Merlino said, “This is the biggest public transport project in Australia, we want the best in the world to build it, and we’re getting it done.”
“We can’t sit around and wait for the Federal Government to make up its mind. Melbourne needs the Metro Tunnel and we will build it – we’re getting it done.
The new Metro Tunnel will give the Cranbourne, Pakenham and Sunbury lines their own tunnel through the CBD, which will free up space in the City Loop to run more trains in and out of the City.
The project also includes five new underground stations, at Arden, Parkville and Domain, and two new city stations directly connected to Flinders Street and Melbourne Central.
Sixty five brand new, high capacity trains will run on the line, freeing up more trains and more space all over Melbourne.
It will mean more trains, coming more often, to more stations, which means less congestion in the suburbs.
The start of the Metro Tunnel procurement process has been made possible by the announcement that the Victorian Government will fully fund and deliver the project.
The funding has given the market the stability it needs to enter the tender process, after significant interest from some of the world’s biggest construction and engineering firms.
Early works are scheduled to begin in 2017, with the major construction delivered through this package to start in 2018, and the project set to create 3,700 Victorian jobs.
The EOI process closes 9 June.
Victorian Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said, “Melbourne is growing, but we can’t run more trains because the City Loop is full. The Metro Tunnel will free up space in the Loop to run more trains in and out of the City.”
“We’re looking to partner with the world’s best to build the backbone of a better train system for Melbourne – the Metro Tunnels and five new stations.”
