04.11.2021Suburban Rail Loop construction edging closer
Construction of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a step closer after the Victorian Government released the Business and Investment Case (BIC) for the project’s eastern and northern sections.
Designed to ease road and public transport congestion, the 90-kilometre orbital rail line, linking Cheltenham and Werribee via Melbourne Airport, aims to better connect people with jobs, health services and education institutions.
With Melbourne’s population expected to hit 9 million people by 2056, the government has determined that the SRL is needed to accommodate this growth.
Set to profoundly re-shape the city’s connectivity, this major project aims to fuel business and housing investment in key metropolitan precincts located throughout Greater Melbourne.
Of the project’s three sections, the government anticipates that 430,000 passengers will use SRL East and SRL North daily by 2056. SRL West, which will link Melbourne Airport to Werribee, remains in the early stages of planning.
According to the BIC, the benefits of SRL East and SRL North for Melbourne’s transport system and economy will be profound:
- 606,000 fewer daily car journeys anticipated on Melbourne’s road network.
- 23,900 local jobs supported across Victoria’s economy during construction.
- 47,500 new households in the SRL Precincts.
Construction works between Cheltenham and Box Hill are due to begin in early 2022, with this section expected to be operational in 2035.
The Committee will host a forum early next year to keep members informed of developments surrounding this major project. For more information, contact Brett Van Duppen at bvanduppen@melbourne.org.au.