The Victorian Government in Australia has launched the Registration of Interest (ROI) process to invite local and international firms to help deliver the Suburban Rail Loop project - the biggest transport investment ever undertaken in Victoria. The estimated investment is AUD50 billion (US$34.37 billion). 

The ROI will serve as the link of the government and the private sectors in realizing the project. The process will assist the government in determining which organization will have the capabilities and experience to develop the transportation facility. 

The search is open to firms with a variety of capabilities including designers, engineers, rail systems providers, rail operators, rolling stock providers, investors, financiers, and architects.

Suburban Rail Loop is a new underground rail link connecting Melbourne's middle suburbs. It will include new stations and connect major railway lines from the Frankston line to the Werribee line via Melbourne Airport. Suburban Rail Loop will connect Melbourne’s middle suburbs to priority growth precincts, and link all Victorians to major health, education and employment centres.

The transformational project would be the biggest transport investment undertaken in Victoria. It will change the way people move around Melbourne – enabling Victorians to get to major suburban employment, education and health precincts without having to travel in and out of the CBD. The project will take thousands of passengers off existing rail lines and 200,000 cars off our major roads, it’s anticipated to also create more than 20,000 jobs during construction.

The ROI announcement follows the commencement of an extensive stakeholder engagement process for Suburban Rail Loop, focusing on Stage One – the South East Section, between Cheltenham and Box Hill.

Environmental and geotechnical studies are expected to commence later this year as part of the development stage. General precincts and a broad alignment have been identified for the Suburban Rail Loop, but specific station locations are yet to be finalized.

All registrations of interest should be lodged at SRL-ROI@railprojects.vic.gov.au. Further information is available at www.railprojects.vic.gov.au.