The consortium Suburban Connect - including CPB Contractors, Ghella and Acciona Construction is the preferred bidder for the first Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East main works contract, with TBMs on track to start digging in 2026. The contract is for 16kms of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley – Victoria’s longest tunnels – and is expected to be awarded by the end of the year.  

A second contract will be awarded next year for the tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill.  

Up to 10 TBMs will be used to carve out the full 26kms of twin tunnels for SRL East, with TBMs launching from Monash, Burwood and Heatherton.  

Early construction of SRL East is now underway in Box Hill, Burwood and Heatherton, with works starting soon in Monash and returning to Glen Waverley and Clayton later this year.  

For further information please click here and au/39 for tunnelbuilder archive and also visit https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au and https://www.premier.vic.gov.au. 35/23.