- Published:
- Thursday 12 May 2016
The Andrews Labor Government has released the next billion-dollar package of Metro Tunnel works to market – Australia’s first roll-out of advanced High Capacity Signalling on an existing network.
Premier Daniel Andrews today joined Minister for Public Transport, Jacinta Allan, to announce Expressions of Interest (EOI) are now being sought for the Metro Tunnel Project Rail Systems Alliance.
The Alliance will design, develop and deliver up to $1 billion worth of signalling, communications and other related systems on the Metro Tunnel, fully funded in last month’s Victorian Budget 2016/17.
Beginning this tender process means more than $11 billion of work on our biggest transport priorities – the Western Distributor, and the Metro Tunnel – has gone to market in the last two weeks.
The works will install high-capacity signalling on the Sunbury-Cranbourne/Pakenham line and new cross-city tunnel created by the project, meaning we can run more services closer together.
Passenger safety will be improved with international-style platform screen doors built in the Metro Tunnel’s five new underground stations, enabled by the new signalling and dedicated fleet of next generation trains.
The Melbourne Metro Rail Authority will also now deliver the trial of high-capacity signalling on the network through the Rail Systems Alliance, building on work by PTV over the past year.
As part of this massive project, the technology will now be trialled using modern X’Trapolis trains on a section of the South Morang line, to enable a more seamless roll out on the Metro Tunnel and across the busiest lines on the network in the future.
Expressions of Interest in the Rail Systems Alliance, which are expected from all over the world, close at 2pm on Thursday 23 June.
For more information about the EOI and the Metro Tunnel Project, visit www.melbournemetro.vic.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“In just two weeks we’ve fully funded and released to market more than $11 billion worth of work on our two most important projects – the Western Distributor and the Metro Tunnel.”
“The Metro Tunnel’s advanced signalling will deliver more trains, more often, and help create 3,900 jobs. We’re not just talking about innovation, jobs and growth – we’re getting it done.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“Next-generation signalling will be tested with the newest trains on the network, and rolled out ahead of the Metro Tunnel, so it’s ready for the new network we’re building.”
“We’re fully funding the Metro Tunnel and 65 high-capacity trains so we can run trains in and out of the city and create a system where trains come so often you don’t need a timetable – you just turn up and go.”