The first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop – SRL East – is a fully-tunnelled 26-kilometre metro corridor between Cheltenham in the South and Box Hill in the North. The line will include six stations, including new interchanges with existing heavy rail stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley and Box Hill, with new stations at Monash and Burwood.

The Suburban Rail Loop Authority (SRLA) has separated SRL East into seven packages. Included in the scope of Works Package C is:

–  Tunnelling and cross passages over the 16-kilometre Cheltenham and Glen Waverley section, and;

–  Clayton and Monash station box excavations, including temporary retaining structures.

The West Gate Tunnel Project, which commenced construction in 2020, is a major infrastructure initiative designed to improve Melbourne’s road network by easing congestion and enhancing connectivity. The project features a 6.5-kilometer toll road, including 2.8 kilometers of twin tunnels running beneath the Yarra River. These tunnels will provide an alternative to the heavily congested West Gate Bridge, reducing reliance on the existing structure and offering a more efficient route for commuters and freight transport.

In addition to the tunnels, the project includes widening the West Gate Freeway, constructing new bridges, and creating improved access to key industrial and commercial hubs. A key objective is to improve freight efficiency, particularly for trucks traveling to and from the Port of Melbourne, by reducing travel times and minimising bottlenecks. The upgraded road network is expected to enhance overall road safety, support economic growth, and provide new cycling and pedestrian paths, contributing to a more sustainable transport system.

With a total project value of $11 billion, the West Gate Tunnel Project is a significant investment in Melbourne’s future transport infrastructure. The construction is being carried out by CPB Contractors and John Holland, with CPB Contractors responsible for the $3.3 billion tunnel section. Once completed, the project is expected to significantly cut travel times, ease congestion on local roads, and improve air quality by reducing traffic-related pollution in residential areas.

The North East Link (NEL) is Victoria’s largest road project and represents the ‘missing link’ in Melbourne’s transport network. The project will connect the M80 with the Eastern Freeway linking key growth areas in the north and south-east. It includes upgrades to the Eastern Freeway, a dedicated Doncaster Busway, more than 25 kilometres of new and upgraded cycling and walking paths, and improvements to community facilities including local sports grounds.

The $11.1 billion major works contract will be delivered in an Australian first four-partner public-private-partnership with an incentivised target cost (ITC) – a fundamentally more collaborative contract where risk and reward are shared. The scope of the PPP includes:

– 6.5km tunnels to Watsonia

– Interchanges at Lower Plenty Road and Manningham Road

– 5 MCGs of parklands along Banyule Creek at Borlase Reserve

– 2km tree-lined boulevard for Greensborough Road

– 2 hectare Yarra Link green bridge over Bulleen Road

– 3 new wetlands along the Yarra River and Koonung Creek in Bulleen and Balwyn North

– The construction and commissioning of the twin, three lane, and 6.5 kilometre tunnels

– The long-term operation and maintenance of the entire North East Link corridor over a 25-year contract

Construction begun in 2022 and is expected to be completed in 2028, alongside other North East Link packages.