Victoria’s Suburban Rail Loop project has taken a significant step forward, with an assessment of its environmental impacts giving the green light for the project to proceed.
The Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is the biggest infrastructure investment in Victorian history, and is designed to reshape Melbourne from a city based around single CBD to become ‘a city of centres’. It is being delivered to prepare for Melbourne’s projected growth to a city of 9 million people by 2056 – a similar size to London today.
The project will reshape movement around Melbourne as its population grows, enhancing connectivity by establishing a 90km orbital rail line connecting all existing passenger lines. This will make journeys more efficient and reduce congestion on both the road and rail networks.
The SRL Precincts being created as part of the project will also create economic and social opportunities for Victorians, with opportunities for industry to engage in the design and development of these precincts.
The first section – SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill – is now under construction, and details of additional works packages associated with the project are expected to be announced in the coming months.