Project

Melbourne Metro Tunnel

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
Melbourne Metro Tunnel

The Melbourne Metro Project will deliver a new rail line across Melbourne's CBD.The project will route trains independently from the City Loop, and increase capacity on Melbourne's train network. Sixty five new high capacity metro trains will run on the line.

The full scope of works includes:

  • two nine-kilometre tunnels
  • five new underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South and Domain, and
  • a tram/train interchange at Anzac Station on St Kilda Road.

The project will be delivered as five separate works packages, including:

  • Early Works
  • Tunnel and Stations works
  • Rail Infrastructure works 
  • Rail System works, and
  • wider network enhancement works.

In the 2023-24 Victorian Budget, a new $238 million ‘Metro Tunnel readiness’ project was also announced for enabling infrastructure works and facilities to support the tunnel network integration and future operations.

Key Dates

Apr 2015 Project Announcement
Jul 2017 Contract Award: Metro Tunnel and Stations Works Package
Jul 2017 Contract Award: Rail Systems Alliance
Sep 2018 Contract Award: Rail Infrastructure Alliance
2018 Construction Commencement
Sep 2024 Expected Operations/Service Commencement
Dec 2025 Expected Construction Completion

Financing

The Cross Yarra Partnership consortium, comprising Lendlease Melbourne Metro, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital, will provide $6.5 billion in equity and debt to deliver the Metro Tunnels and Stations Public Private Partnership.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Rail Projects Victoria
Related contracts:
Construction Power
Successful Tenderer - Beon Energy Solutions

Early Works (Managing Contractor)
Successful Tenderer - John Holland

Tram Infrastructure Works (Franchise Works)
Successful Tenderer - Yarra Trams

PROJECT HISTORY

Apr 2015 The Victorian Government announced $1.5 billion in early planning for the project.
Apr 2016 EOI's opened for Tunnels and Stations Public Private Partnership contract.
Aug 2016 The Victorian Government shortlisted three bidders to deliver the $6 billion Tunnel and Station package. The package will be delivered through an Availability Public Private Partnership.
Jul 2017 The Victorian Government announced that a consortium comprising CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation had been awarded the Rail Systems Alliance contract.
Dec 2017 The Victorian Government announced the Cross Yarra Partnership, comprising Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital, had been awarded the $6 billion Tunnels and Station package. Separately, the Government has announced that CPB Contractors and Bombadier Transportation have been awarded the High Capacity Signally contract.
Jun 2018 The Victorian Government announced the CPB John Holland AECOM consortium as the preferred bidder for the Rail Infrastructure Alliance contract.
May 2023 In the 2023-24 Victorian Budget, the project was allocated $1.7 billion for FY2023-24, and the total estimated cost increased by $281 million to $12.6 billion, with the Government citing ‘COVID-19 related payments’ as the reason for the increase. A new $238 million ‘Metro Tunnel readiness’ project was also announced, with $204 million allocated in FY2023-24.
Estimated Total Cost
(2023)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Confirmed PPP | Alliance |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
John Laing
Project pages
Victorian Government
Major Contract

Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Metro Tunnel and Stations Works Package

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Metro Tunnel and Stations Works Package

The Metro Tunnel and Stations works package, which is being delivered as a circa $6 billion Availability Public Private Partnership (PPP), will see the construction of nine-kilometre twin tunnels under Melbourne's CBD, providing the Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham lines underground access through the CBD.

It will also deliver five new underground stations at:

  • Arden
  • Parkville
  • Domain
  • CBD North, and
  • CBD South.

The PPP contract includes the finance, design and construction of the two tunnels and stations. It also includes the maintenance of the tunnels and stations for a 25-year term.

Key Dates

Apr 2016 EOIs Open
Jun 2016 EOIs Close
Aug 2016 Shortlisted Bidders Announced
Aug 2016 RFT Open
Apr 2017 RFT Close
Jul 2017 Preferred Bidder Selection
Dec 2017 Contract Award
Oct 2018 Construction Commencement
Sep 2024 Expected Operations/Service Commencement
Dec 2025 Expected Construction Completion

Financing

The Cross Yarra Partnership consortium, comprising Lendlease Melbourne Metro, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital, will provide $6.5 billion in equity and debt to deliver the Metro Tunnels and Stations Public Private Partnership.

Debt financing is being provided by Australia and New Zealand Banking Group; Credit Agricole CIB Australia; Mizuho Bank; Westpac; Bank of China; Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce; Crédit Industriel et Commercial; DZ BANK AG Deutsche Zentral-Genossenschaftsbank; Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH; and United Overseas Bank Limited.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Rail Projects Victoria
Shortlist: 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.
Successful Tenderer: Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) consortium, comprising Lendlease Melbourne Metro, John Holland, Bouygues Construction, John Laing and Capella Capital.

PROJECT HISTORY

Apr 2016 The Victorian Government called for Expressions of Interest for the project, closing on 9 June.
Aug 2016 The Victorian Government announced three shortlisted bidders for the project, with a Request for Tender process closing on 9 April 2017.
Jul 2017 The Victorian Government announced Cross Yarra Partnership announced as the preferred bidder for the Metro Tunnel and Stations PPP.
Dec 2017 Contractual close reached.
Mar 2018 Four Tunnel Boring Machines were ordered and expected to start arriving in early 2019.
May 2018 Final station designs by CYP were released.
Oct 2018 Construction commenced.
Aug 2023 Testing commenced on the high capacity trains running through the new Metro Tunnel. The project is expected to be operational in 2025.
Jan 2024 Construction was completed on Arden Station, and testing commenced.
Estimated Total Cost
(2020)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Confirmed PPP |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Major Contract

Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Rail Infrastructure Alliance

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Rail Infrastructure Alliance

The Rail Infrastructure Alliance contract comprises the delivery of the tunnel extrances in South Yarra and Kensington. Major works include:

  • construction of track decline structures and tunnel cut and cover tunnelling at the eastern portal in South Yarra and the western portal in Kensington, and
  • reconfiguration and realignment of existing tracks, and modification of existing rail infrastructure such as signalling and overhead line equipment (OHLE) along the Sunbury to Cranbourne-Pakenham corridor.

 

Key Dates

Jul 2017 EOIs Open
Sep 2017 EOIs Close
Sep 2018 Contract Award
2018 Construction Commencement
2025 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Rail Projects Victoria
Shortlist: A consortium comprising CPB Contractors, John Holland, and AECOM; and a consortium comprising Laing O’Rourke, Kellogg Brown & Root and WSP.
Successful Tenderer: Consortium comprising John Holland, CPB Contractors and AECOM.

PROJECT HISTORY

Jul 2017 Expressions of Interest for the Rail Infrastructure Package.
Dec 2017 The Victorian Government announced two consortia had been shortlisted for the project.
Jul 2018 Victorian Government announced a CPB, John Holland and AECOM consortium as the preferred bidder for the contract.
Sep 2018 Contractual close reached.
2018 Construction commenced.
Jun 2019 Development plans for the Metro Tunnel entrances, a new passenger platform, and the Western Turnback were approved by the Minister for Planning.
Estimated Total Cost
(2017)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Alliance |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Tender notices
Expression of Interest
Major Contract

Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Rail Systems Alliance

PROJECT STATUS
Under Delivery
Melbourne Metro Tunnel - Rail Systems Alliance

This package of works will involve the installation of 55 kilometres of high capacity signalling on the Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham line that will run through the Metro Tunnel. It will also design, supply and install power and operational control systems, conventional signalling, and platform screen doors at the five metro stations.

Key Dates

May 2016 EOIs Open
Jun 2016 EOIs Close
Sep 2016 Shortlist Announced
Jul 2017 Contract Award

Procurement

Procuring Agency: Rail Projects Victoria
Shortlist: A consortium comprising CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation; and the MetroConnect consortium comprising John Holland, Siemens and UGL
Successful Tenderer: CPB Contractors and Alstom

PROJECT HISTORY

May 2016 The Victorian Government called for Expressions of Interest for the Rail Systems Alliance contract, closing on 23 June.
Sep 2016 The Victorian Government announced two consortia had been shortlisted to deliver the project.
Jul 2017 The Victorian Government announced the consortium comprising CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation had been awarded the contract.
Dec 2017 Financial close of contract
2018 Construction commenced on the project.
Mar 2022 The Victorian Government announced the completion the train control hub on the upgraded Sunbury Line.
Estimated Total Cost
(2017)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Alliance |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
CPB Contractors