Contractor Laing O’Rourke recently completed site preparation works, which included moving underground services to make way for the twin tunnels and new Burwood underground station and construction of the 19-metre-deep launch site for the two TBMs, which will dig head south the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East northern twin tunnels between Burwood and Glen Waverley. 

The site has now been handed to Tunnels North contractor Terra Verde which is building the northern section of the SRL East tunnels, and will now complete final preparations for tunnelling to start next year, including construction of acoustic sheds to reduce the impact on local residents. 

Two TBMs will launch from Burwood towards Glen Waverley in 2026, while 2 more will launch from Burwood towards Box Hill at a later date: click here for the map and here for a video. The 4 TBMs EPB, currently under construction, will be supplied by China Railway Engineering Group (CREG) and will start arriving on site in coming months. Each TBM will be more than 100m long and just over 7m in diameter – and all TBMs used on SRL East will be powered by 100% renewable electricity. 

These 4 TBMs are in addition to the 4 TBMs already on the way for the southern section of the tunnels between Glen Waverley and Cheltenham. 

Terra Verde will also build the box for the new future SRL underground station at Burwood bringing a train connection to Deakin University for the first time. 

Construction of the 26 km SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill is powering ahead. Trains will be taking passengers in 2035.

For further information please click here and au/39 for information in the tunnelbuilder archives. Visit https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au and https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/. 43/25.