The Allan Labor Government has ordered four more tunnel boring machines (TBMs) to carve the Suburban Rail Loop twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill - and they're coming from China.
Today in Deyang near the mega-city of Chengdu, Premier Jacinta Allan announced the four massive machines will be supplied by the China Railway Engineering Equipment Group (CREG).
The four TBMs are currently being built in Zhengzhou. They will soon be sent to Melbourne and launched from Burwood next year. Two will tunnel south from Burwood to Glen Waverley and two will head north towards Box Hill.
Four CREEG machines just like them are currently tunnelling the Chengdu-Deyang Intercity (Suburban) Railway Project in Deyang.
The China Railway Engineering Equipment Group is one of the world's largest manufacturers of TBMs.
Their machines are driving major projects worldwide, including Beijing's new Qinglonghu Metro station, Copenhagen's Sydhavn Metro, Italy's Naples-Bari High-Speed Rail and Victoria's West Gate Tunnel.
Now they're coming to Victoria to complete the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) to take thousands of cars off local roads and slash travel times for commuters and road users alike.
The TBMs are earth pressure balance machines which are specifically designed to suit local ground conditions and minimise surface impacts.
Spanning more than 100 metres long and more than seven metres in diameter, all the TBMs used on SRL will be powered by 100 per cent renewable energy.
Construction of SRL is powering ahead, with more than 3,000 people already working across all six station sites, tunnelling to kick off next year and trains taking passengers in 2035.
Thanks to the SRL, Sandringham residents will be able to travel to Glen Waverley in just 36 minutes, saving 29 minutes compared to public transport and 26 minutes compared to driving.
The SRL is also Australia's largest housing project - delivering 70,000 more homes closer to jobs, Australia's largest universities, health services and world class public transport.
As stated by Premier Jacinta Allan
"Chinese companies are investing in the SRL - and Victorian workers are building it."
"These machines are being put together in Zhengzhou, put to the test in Chengdu - and they'll be put to good use in Burwood."
"Why shouldn't we aspire to a public transport system like China's? They have fast trains and rail loops everywhere."
As stated by Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Harriet Shing
"The Suburban Rail Loop will take thousands of cars off local roads and slash your travel times."
