International shortlist for Victoria state’s largest transport project unveiled

The Australian state of Victoria has shortlisted three consortiums to build a Metro Tunnel and five underground train stations. 

The US$4.6bn (AUS$6bn) public-private partnership (PPP) will be the biggest public transport project in Victorian history.  

The shortlist is: 

• Continuum Victoria: Acciona Infrastructure, Ferrovial Agroman, Honeywell, Downer EDI and Plenary Origination 
• Cross Yarra Partnership: Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital
• Moving Melbourne Together: Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ghella, Salini Impregilo, Serco and Macquarie Capital. 

The Metro Tunnel will create 4,700 jobs and free up space in the City Loop to run more services in and out of the city on lines across the network.  

The PPP will build and fit-out the 9km Metro Tunnel and the five underground stations, which are: 

• Arden 
• Parkville 
• CBD North 
• CBD South (pictured) 
• Domain.  

A map of the new line (Victoria Government)

Up to six tunnel boring machines will be used during construction, each up to 100 metres long and weighing more than 1,000 tonnes. 

In preparation, three giant shafts will be excavated in the CBD, one at Franklin Street and A’Beckett Street near Melbourne Central station, and at City Square near Flinders Street Station.  

The shafts will be up to 11 storeys deep and will enable the roadheaders to be lowered into the ground to begin excavating around two million cubic metres of soil and rock – enough to fill 800 Olympic-sized swimming pools.  

Shortlisted bidders for the PPP will be asked to submit a formal proposal by early next year, with a contract expected to be awarded by the end of 2017.  

Work is scheduled to begin in 2018.  

Top image: The concourse of the CBD South station (Victoria Government)