Tunnel excavation has begun on a major section of Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop East, advancing construction of a new underground rail connection between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley. The first tunnel boring machine, TBM Aayushi, launched from Clarinda, marking the start of work on 16 kilometres of twin tunnels.
The launch of TBM Aayushi marks the beginning of underground excavation for the southern section of Suburban Rail Loop East. The machine will support construction of the twin tunnels connecting Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.
The 16-kilometre tunnel section is part of the broader Suburban Rail Loop programme, a major rail infrastructure development in Melbourne’s eastern and southeastern suburbs.
The launch represents a key construction milestone for the Suburban Connect team, which is involved in delivering the tunnel works. The project’s twin-tunnel configuration will provide the underground infrastructure for the planned rail corridor.
The start of excavation moves this section of the project from preparatory activities into active tunnelling.
The start of tunnelling establishes progress on a substantial underground rail construction package in Victoria. The 16-kilometre twin-tunnel section is a major component of Suburban Rail Loop East and will help create the infrastructure needed for the planned connection between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley.
Source: Ghella.
