It has been a big year for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL). As we wrap up 2021, we wanted to look back at all the planning, design and development work and some of the major project milestones this year which mean Victoria’s biggest ever infrastructure project can kick off next year.
We released our Business and Investment Case, which showed how SRL will transform the public transport network and generate economic, social and environmental benefits to Victorians over decades. It explained why SRL is more than a rail line – reshaping where people live and work, attracting 165,000 additional jobs to SRL Precincts by 2056.
Modelling showed how SRL East will slash travel times and benefit everyone across the network, including people in regional Victoria.
We kept pace with the changing health rules by shifting info sessions online, with more than 12,000 people visiting our Virtual Information Room. When we could, we rolled out info sessions and pop ups in person, with more than 2000 community members stopping by to find out more about SRL East. Precinct Reference Groups – locals and key stakeholders providing their insights into the planning, development and delivery of the project – had their first meetings.
Workers clocked over more than 1 million hours on the project, with geotechnical investigations hitting some big milestones in the process – including drilling more than 12km of ground as well as starting laser surveys, 3D scans , and cultural heritage investigations.
SRL East developed Victoria’s first ever fully digital Environment Effects Statement (EES) which details how SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will be designed and delivered. The EES gives a taste of what the new stations might look like with fresh concept designs, delving deeper into the exciting features you can expect to see at your local SRL station.
In November, the Victorian Government provided additional funding of $9.3 billion towards major works – paving the way for major construction of SRL East. We also signed the Initial and Early Works contract for the first stage of the project, which will create 800 early direct jobs and prepare sites for the launch of tunnel boring machines.
With construction getting underway next year – 2022 will be even bigger!