- Premier
The next stage of Suburban Rail Loop is now underway with geotechnical work beginning at Box Hill.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan visited the site where the drilling has started, which marks another step towards transforming Victoria's public transport system.
Site investigations at Box Hill signal the start of a program of ground works across Melbourne's southeast that will help understand ground conditions and plan for the new underground alignment and station locations.
The geotechnical investigations involve drilling boreholes of depths between 30-60 metres. The rock and soil are then tested for composition and stability, with each site taking around two weeks to analyse.
The geotechnical investigations are a vital part of development and technical work that will determine the stages and timing of the project, and how it will be built.
The Suburban Rail Loop will connect Melbourne's middle suburbs to priority growth precincts, and link all Victorians to major health, education and employment centres.
The 90-kilometre rail link will connect every major railway line from the Frankston line to the Werribee line via Melbourne Airport, easing demand on existing lines and shifting more Melburnians out of their cars.
When finished, it'll mean that people living in the regions won't need to travel through the centre of Melbourne to access jobs in growing economic precincts outside the CBD.
Victorians are encouraged to have their say on all elements of the project through a community survey and local pop ups have begun along stage one of the Suburban Rail Loop.
Construction on the first stage of Suburban Rail Loop is expected to begin in 2022. To have your say visit railprojects.vic.gov.au.
As noted by Premier Daniel Andrews
"We said we'd get the Suburban Rail Loop started and that's what we're doing - with geotechnical work now underway in Box Hill."
"Suburban Rail Loop will change the way we move around Melbourne, slashing travel times and better connecting people with jobs, education and other vital services, wherever they live."
As noted by Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan
"Whether it's removing level crossings, the Metro Tunnel or North East Link - we're getting on with the projects that Victorians voted for and need."
