Three consortia have been shortlisted to build Melbourne’s Metro Tunnel and five new underground stations.
This week Victoria Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan announced the shortlisted bidders for the $6 billion Public Private Partnership (PPP) to build the project.
The three consortia are:
- Continuum Victoria – comprising ACCIONA Infrastructure, Ferrovial Agroman, Honeywell, Downer EDI and Plenary Origination
- Cross Yarra Partnership – comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital
- Moving Melbourne Together – comprising Pacific Partnerships, CPB Contractors, Ghella, Salini Impregilo, Serco and Macquarie Capital
The Metro Tunnel will free up more space in the City Loop to run more services in and out of the city on lines across the network.
“The best construction companies in the world are lining up to build the biggest public transport project in Australia – the Metro Tunnel,” said Mr. Andrews.
“Melbourne needs the Metro Tunnel and we’re not wasting a moment – major work starts next year. The Metro Tunnel will let us run trains so often that you don’t need a timetable – you just turn up and go.”
The PPP will build and fit-out the nine-kilometre Metro Tunnel and the five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain.
Up to six tunnel boring machines set to be used during construction, each up to 100 metres long and weighing more than 1000 tonnes.
In preparation for this significant work, three giant shafts will be excavated in the CBD – 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.
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