en.Wedoany.com Reported - The Australian Federal Government has confirmed in the 2026 Federal Budget that it will allocate an additional AUD 3.8 billion (approx. GBP 1.95 billion) to the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East project in Victoria, bringing its total contribution to the SRL project to AUD 6 billion (approx. GBP 3.07 billion).

SRL East is a 26-kilometre underground rail loop planned to connect Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs, providing interchanges with existing rail services at Cheltenham, Clayton, Glen Waverley, and Box Hill, while also linking to regional V/Line services on the Gippsland line. The SRL project aims to improve connectivity between major employment, education, and health precincts such as Monash, Clayton, Burwood, and Box Hill, supporting economic productivity by enabling faster cross-suburban travel and reducing reliance on routes through Melbourne's Central Business District.

The Victorian Government stated that the SRL project is also expected to support the development of 70,000 new homes in connected areas, while helping to curb urban sprawl. According to government data, SRL East will support approximately 3,000 construction jobs and create up to 8,000 ongoing local jobs in the long term.

Tunnel boring machines are currently being assembled on site, with tunnelling expected to commence before the end of 2026, and the SRL project is scheduled for completion in 2035. This funding builds on the Federal Government's previous commitment of AUD 2.2 billion (approx. GBP 1.13 billion) for land acquisition and early works.

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese described the SRL project as "a transformative event for the city of Melbourne and the state of Victoria." Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan stated the SRL will "significantly cut commute times and ease congestion," while Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the investment will "create a seamless and future-proof transport network for Melbourne's fastest-growing areas."

This article is compiled by Wedoany. All AI citations must indicate the source as "Wedoany". If there is any infringement or other issues, please notify us promptly, and we will modify or delete it accordingly. Email: news@wedoany.com