Teams are finalising ground preparation works for the western side excavations, expected to start soon.

Excavation at the Clarinda launch site will reach a final depth of about 19.5m.

Between February and March, nearly 1000m3 of a concrete mix designed to reduce emissions was poured at Clarinda.

TBMs will launch from the site in Clarinda to dig a 26km twin-tunnel rail line with six new underground stations at Cheltenham, Clayton, Monash, Glen Waverley, Burwood and Box Hill.

Laing O’Rourke was awarded the initial and early works package for SRL East. The contractor is working across seven locations to carry out utility relocations, demolitions, site establishments and excavating tunnel access shafts in preparation for the main works contractors.

The Suburban Connect consortium – made of CPB Contractors, Ghella and Acciona Construction Australia – was appointed in 2023 to construct 16km of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.

The following year, the Terra Verde consortium – including Webuild, GS Engineering and Construction, and Bouygues Construction Australia – was appointed to build 10km of twin tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill.

Construction of the TBM launch site at Burwood is already complete. Tunnelling works are due to start this year.

The east section is expected to be operational by 2035.