The countdown to tunnelling is on - A major milestone has been reached on the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East Project, with the first two tunnel boring machines (TBMs) successfully lowered into the launch shaft at Burwood.

Watch the highlight video of TBM being lowered into the launch shaft here.

These engineering giants, which stretch more than 100 metres in length and just over seven metres in diameter, have been purpose-built to excavate the project's northern twin tunnels. 

The pair will soon begin their journey south towards Glen Waverley, while a further two machines will later tunnel north to Box Hill. Powered using 100% renewable electricity from Yurringa Energy, Australia’s first Indigenous-owned energy retailer, all four TBMs reflect the project's commitment to delivering more sustainable infrastructure.

The lowering of the first TBMs marks the transition from site preparation to tunnelling, bringing Melbourne one step closer to a faster, more connected rail network.

Webuild, as part of the Terra Verde Joint Venture, is delivering almost 10 kilometres of parallel tunnels between the future Box Hill and Glen Waverley stations, along with 39 cross passages, two station boxes, two TBM launch sites, and an intervention and ventilation shaft for the Suburban Rail Loop East Project.

Ends -