The kids of Clayton have named the tiny but mighty tunnelling machine working its way underneath their suburb as part of construction of Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East.
We recently took the enthusiastic class of 4 and 5-year-olds from Goodstart Early Learning on a special tour of SRL East’s Dunstan Street construction site – teaching them about the diggers and tunnelling equipment being used in the initial and early works.
This next generation of engineers, construction workers and urban planners welcomed us back to share their bright ideas for naming the micro tunnel boring machine (TBM) – from ‘Hulk the Super Worm’ to ‘Wander the Wombat’.
The mini TBM is now working under Clayton Road after completing works along Dunstan Street. We use technology specially designed to minimise community and traffic disruption, however some lane closures will remain in place until November, while works continue.
We continue to consult with locals and traders and have updated more than 3000 residential properties and businesses in Clayton about the SRL East works. The ‘Discover Clayton’ campaign is in full flight, with almost 3000 vouchers and discounts rewarding shoppers who support their local businesses.
Construction of SRL East will create up to 8000 jobs. When SRL is completed, trains from Cheltenham to Box Hill will slash travel times and ease congestion on the roads, and a trip between Cheltenham and Clayton will take less than 10 minutes.
The SRL transport super hub at Clayton will be one of the busiest stations on the network, connecting passengers to services on the Cranbourne/Pakenham and Gippsland lines and improving access to medical research facilities and hospitals in the growing health precinct.
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