Students from 8 local primary schools across Melbourne’s east and southeast have named the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East after inspiring Victorian women, including a renowned chef, a steam train driver, a musician and a Yorta Yorta, Dja Dja Wurrung, Taungurung, Boon Wurrung Elder.
TBMs for SRL East are arriving on site, ready for tunnelling to start this year.
The names of the giant machines were selected by local students from Clayton North, Clayton South, Essex Heights, Huntingdale, Kerrimuir, Le Page and Roberts McCubbin primary schools, located along the SRL East train line.
The Grade 1, 2 and 3 students cast their votes from a shortlist of inspiring Victorian women from a range of backgrounds and industries.
Students at these schools will be among the first to use SRL East when it opens in 2035 to get to uni, TAFE or work, and will also have their own names printed on the giant machine they helped name.
SRL construction is well underway, with TBMs launching from Clarinda and Burwood this year and 3000 Victorians working on this game-changing project that will transform Melbourne.
SRL will not only transform the transport network with faster, more reliable travel – as Australia’s largest housing project, it will help deliver thousands more homes where they’re needed, with a long-term plan for 70,000 additional homes around the 6 new SRL East stations.
Read more about SRL East tunnelling and our TBM names.