By ashleykaren
It has been a great year for SRL (Suburban Rail Loop). As we end 2021, Victoria wanted to take a look back at all the planning, design, and development work and some of the key project milestones this year which mean Victoria’s biggest ever infrastructure project can kick off next year.
They released their Business and Investment Case, which represented how SRL is going to transform the public transport network and make economic, social, and environmental benefits to Victorians over decades. It explained why SRL is more than a rail line – reshaping where people live and work, generating 165,000 extra jobs to SRL Precincts by 2056.
Modelling showed how SRL East is going to cut travel times and benefit everyone across the network, containing people in regional Victoria.
They kept pace with the changing health rules by shifting info sessions online, with over 12,000 people visiting their Virtual Information Room. When they could, they rolled out info sessions and pop-ups in person, with over 2000 community members stopping by to know more about SRL East. Precinct Reference Groups – locals and major stakeholders providing their insights into the planning, development, and delivery of the project – had their first meetings.
Workers clocked over 1 million hours on the project, with geotechnical investigations hitting some huge milestones in the process – comprising drilling over 12km of ground plus beginning laser surveys, 3D scans, and cultural heritage investigations.
SRL East developed Victoria’s first-ever fully digital Environment Effects Statement (EES) which details how SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will be designed and delivered. The Environment Effects Statement gives a taste of what the new stations might look like with fresh concept designs, delving deeper into the exciting features you can anticipate seeing at your local SRL station.
In November, the Victorian Government provided extra funding of $9.3 billion towards major works – paving the way for key construction of SRL East. They also signed the Initial and Early Works contract for the first stage of the project, which will generate 800 early direct jobs and prepare sites for the launch of TBMs.
With construction being done next year – 2022 will be even bigger for Victoria!
