Bouygues Construction Secures Major Package in Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East Project,Bouygues Construction Australia, a member of the Terra Verde consortium alongside Webuild and GS Engineering & Construction, has been awarded the contract to build the northern tunnels for the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East metro project in Melbourne, Australia. The total value of the project is AUD 1.7 billion, with Bouygues Construction Australia responsible for AUD 562 million (€343 million) of that amount.
This contract involves the design and construction of two 10-kilometer tunnels connecting the Box Hill and Glen Waverley areas. The scope includes building two metro stations, two tunnel access shafts, one intervention and ventilation shaft, and 39 cross-passages. Tunnel boring machines will be used to excavate the tunnels.
SRL East represents the largest infrastructure project ever undertaken in Victoria. The new transport network will be instrumental in transforming Melbourne and its surrounding regions, ensuring the city remains one of the most livable in the world. Melbourne is projected to become Australia’s most populous city, with nearly 9 million residents by 2050. The SRL East project will ease congestion on roads and highways, reduce travel times, and enhance the flow of people throughout the city. Additionally, the project will stimulate growth in the area by supporting the development of thousands of new homes near a state-of-the-art public transport system.
The first phase of SRL East is already under construction, with tunneling set to begin in 2026 and the first trains expected to operate by 2035. The new metro network will improve access to Melbourne’s central business district and provide easier connections to healthcare and education services in the eastern and southeastern parts of the city.
The Terra Verde consortium is committed to ensuring that the SRL East project contributes positively to sustainable development, with a focus on environmental, social, and economic benefits for the local population.
Bertrand Burtschell, CEO of Bouygues Travaux Publics, stated, “SRL East is a transformative project that will reshape Melbourne’s public transport network. It will support the city’s growth and make a significant difference in the daily lives of its residents for generations to come. We are proud to contribute our technical expertise to the goal of developing a decarbonized transportation system for Melbourne.”
