Press release - Consortium Terra Verde is the preferred bidder for the second SRL East tunnelling contract to build the 10km of twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill.

The global consortium of WeBuild S.p.A, GS Engineering and Construction Australia and Bouygues Construction Australia has deep experience in Victoria and overseas, including the Metro Tunnel Project, North East Link, the Forrestfield-Airport Link in Perth and Copenhagen’s Cityringen Metro.

Detailed negotiations are now underway, and the Tunnels North contract will be awarded later this year.

This significant milestone follows the award last year of the Tunnels South contract to Suburban Connect – for tunnelling between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. Suburban Connect has hit the ground running, with ground investigations and planning well underway ahead of the start of tunnelling in 2026.

The Linewide package to build the high-tech fleet of SRL trains, fit out the tunnels, install signalling, and operate and maintain the network will be awarded next year - and 2 contracts to build the 6 new underground stations will be awarded from 2026.

Construction of SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill is powering ahead ,with construction underway at all 6 station sites and the stabling facility in Heatherton. We are also planning for the neighbourhoods around each station, with extensive community consultation informing structure planning for each area. Draft Structure Plans will go on public exhibition late this year or early next year.

SRL will deliver more public transport and housing options in the right places, with a long-term vision for 70,000 more homes and 230,000 extra jobs in the areas around the 6 SRL East stations. For further information please visit https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/suburban-rail-loop/preferred-bidder-announced-for-second-tunnelling-contract