- Published:
- Wednesday 29 August 2018
The Suburban Rail Loop will connect every Victorian to some of our biggest universities and TAFEs, and get people there faster than our road network.
Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan joined leaders from major universities and TAFEs to outline the benefits to students and the huge travel time savings the new underground rail line will bring.
The Suburban Rail Loop will be the biggest rail project in Australian history – connecting every major train line in Melbourne and providing a direct rail link to Melbourne Airport for the first time.
Trains will travel up to 130km/h through dedicated tunnels with no level crossings, no interaction with the existing network, and a dedicated fleet of rollingstock allowing trains to travel faster than ever before.
Expert modelling undertaken as part of planning for the project shows the trip from Cheltenham to Melbourne Airport will take 45 minutes – less time than it takes in the car. A trip from Box Hill to the airport through the tunnels could take just 25 minutes – saving people time, money and hassle when they fly.
The landmark project will connect Monash Clayton, Deakin Burwood and La Trobe Bundoora, with travel between Monash Clayton and La Trobe Bundoora taking just 25 minutes.
It will mean someone living in Broadmeadows can get to Monash Clayton in around 35 minutes – making studying or working at one of the world’s best universities a possible for many for the first time.
TAFEs will also be connected, including the Box Hill Institute, Melbourne Polytechnic in Heidelberg, and VU Polytechnic in Sunshine.
New super-hubs at Clayton, Broadmeadows and Sunshine will connect regional passengers to the new line, giving them direct access to these education and jobs precincts, and opening up new opportunities for regional students.
The Suburban Rail Loop is projected to create more than 20,000 jobs during construction – including 2,000 apprentices, trainees and cadets employed through Labor’s Major Projects Skills Guarantee.
Labor will invest $300 million in a full business case, design, and pre-construction works, with work on the first section in Melbourne’s south east expected to begin by the end of 2022.
Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews
“This project will change the way people think about their lives and their future – opening up jobs, study and opportunities that simply aren’t an option now because it’s too hard to get across town.”
“It will save people time, money and hassle, and better connect Victorians to work, education and each other.”
Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan
“We’re removing level crossings, building bigger trains and delivering the Metro Tunnel – and we will build this new underground rail line to connect our suburbs.”
“This is the next step in the transformation of our transport network – getting people home safer and sooner, no matter where they live.”