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 |
| Oct 2025 | Construction Completion |
| Dec 2025 | Operations/Service Commencement |
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. |
| Oct 2025 | The Victorian Government has announced that all five underground stations have been completed, ahead of the expected commencement of services in early December. |
