en.Wedoany.com Report on Mar 24th, Two tunnel boring machines (TBMs), each with a diameter of just over 7 meters, have arrived in Melbourne in preparation for the commencement of tunneling later this year for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East section. The TBM project is being delivered by a joint venture led by Webuild under a contract valued at €1 billion, with Webuild holding a 33.5% stake. Partners include South Korea's GS E&C and Bouygues Construction Australia.

The TBMs are currently being assembled at the Burwood site by subcontractor Terra Verde Joint Venture and will be lowered piece by piece into the launch shaft. Concurrent site upgrades include the construction of two acoustic sheds to minimize the impact on nearby residents. Supporting infrastructure is also under construction, including a conveyor system to remove excavated material from the tunnels and the installation of a power connection between the Sinnott Street network support facility and the main site. Work is progressing on the second TBM launch site, from which the machine will bore towards Box Hill. The construction team is also developing the underground station boxes, with concrete support walls being built, and large-scale excavation is scheduled to commence in mid-2026.

The TBM project contract includes excavating nearly 10 kilometers of twin parallel tunnels between the future Box Hill and Glen Waverley stations, creating 39 cross passages, and constructing two station boxes, two TBM launch sites, and an intervention and ventilation shaft. Construction activities for the SRL East section have already employed over 3,000 people, with the line planned to open to passengers in 2035.