Tunnelling for Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East has officially begun, marking a major milestone in the delivery of the new rail connection between Melbourne’s east and southeast.

The first tunnel boring machine (TBM), TBM Alice, has launched from Burwood and begun excavating the first section of tunnel towards Glen Waverley. A second TBM, TBM Hacia, is expected to commence tunnelling in the coming weeks.

Together, the first two TBMs will carve the section of SRL East between the future Burwood and Glen Waverley stations, helping bring the project one step closer to connecting communities and major destinations across Melbourne’s east and southeast.

The first two TBMs are being launched using an innovative umbilical method, which has been adopted to overcome the confined conditions at the Burwood site.

Rather than launching at their full length, the TBMs initially begin tunnelling using the front section of the machine. A temporary system of cables and hoses, known as an umbilical, connects the equipment to the surface, providing the power and support services required for tunnelling.

As each TBM advances underground, the remaining components of the machine are progressively installed behind it. Once fully assembled, each TBM will reach approximately 100 metres in length.

This approach enables tunnelling to begin while making the most of the available space at the constrained Burwood launch site.

As part of the Terra Verde Joint Venture, Webuild is delivering almost 10 kilometres of parallel tunnels between the future Box Hill and Glen Waverley stations.

Webuild’s scope also includes 39 cross passages, two station boxes, two TBM launch sites, and an intervention and ventilation shaft.

The parallel tunnels will form a key part of SRL East, creating the underground rail connection that will link the future stations at Box Hill, Burwood, Monash and Glen Waverley.

Further TBMs are scheduled to launch from Burwood next year, beginning tunnelling towards Box Hill and continuing the next phase of this major underground construction program.

The commencement of tunnelling is a significant step forward for SRL East and for Melbourne’s future transport network.
Once complete, SRL East will connect passengers to key destinations across Melbourne’s east and southeast, including new rail connections to Deakin University and Monash University.

For Webuild and the Terra Verde Joint Venture, the launch of TBM Alice represents the beginning of a major tunnelling program that will help shape Melbourne’s transport network for decades to come.

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