Construction has begun on Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL), a massive project which will see 90km of orbital loop linking every major rail line in the state.

The project aims to deliver better public transport, connect communities and ease road congestion by connecting each major line via the airport.

Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews, and Suburban Rail Loop Minister, Jacinta Allan, visited Clayton to mark the start of construction of SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill and meet the workers undertaking excavation works near the site of the new SRL station.

The laying of a new 630m sewer pipe – dug by a remote-controlled micro-tunnelling machine – is the beginning of a massive program of initial and early works which will create up to 800 local jobs.

The first phase of works for SRL East will also include road modifications, service relocation and preparation for three sites where the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be launched.

Up to 10 TBMS are expected to carve the 26km of twin tunnels, linking the six new underground stations. 

Mr Andrews said, “Work has now started on the Suburban Rail Loop – an iconic project Victorians voted for, and one that will transform the way we move around the state.”

“SRL will create thousands of jobs and connect our suburbs – making it easier, faster and more convenient for all Victorians to access our fastest growing employment, health, education and retail centres.”

SRL East will be open by 2035 – the first of three stages of the 90km orbital loop linking every major rail line via the airport – connecting major employment, health and education centres, creating a pipeline of jobs and training opportunities, and slashing travel times. 

A trip from Cheltenham to Box Hill will take just 22 minutes.

The new station at Clayton will be a transport super hub – connecting regional Victorians to SRL and one of the busiest interchange stations on the network.

Ms Allan said, “We’re thrilled to see construction start – SRL East will connect people across the east and southeast to workplaces, education, health and retail centres, delivering a massive pipeline of new jobs – and we’re getting on with building it.”

SRL East will generate up to 8,000 jobs during construction, with exciting opportunities for local industry and suppliers. 

The Clayton site has been established by Indigenous construction firm Wamarra – the first sub-contractor employed on this city-shaping project. 

Over more than two million hours, workers have completed thousands of lab tests and surveys, and geotechnical investigations at more than 840 sites.

The SRL is funded in partnership with the Federal Government.