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The Government of Victoria has announced that Expressions of Interest (EOIs) are being sought to deliver the Melbourne Metro Rail PPP Project, which will represent the biggest public transport project in Australia.

The start of project procurement process has been made possible after the Government of Victoria has announced that it will fully fund and deliver the project. This decision comes after the government has received interest for the project development from some of the world’s biggest construction and engineering firms. 

The project will involve the development of two 9-kilometers rail tunnels from South Kensington to South Yarra, travelling underneath Swanston Street in the Central Business District, as part of a new Sunbury to Cranbourne/Pakenham line.

The new line will have five underground stations at Arden, Parkville, CBD North, CBD South, and Domain. Additionally, it will have train/tram interchanges at Parkville and Domain and rail tunnel entrances at South Kensington and South Yarra.

A total of sixty five brand new and high capacity trains will run on the line, freeing up more trains and more space all over Melbourne.

The contract, an availability based PPP valued at approximately A$6 billion (US$4.6 billion), will include design and construction of the metro rail, private finance and the provision of maintenance and other services during the operating term.

The total project investment is estimated to be between A$9 billion (US$6.8 billion) and A$11 billion (US$8.4 billion).

The beginning of the project works is scheduled for the next year, with the major construction delivered through this package to start in 2018.

Project details can be seen here: http://melbournemetro.vic.gov.au/

The submission of the documents for the EOI process closes at 2:00 pm on Thursday 9 June (local time).

You can see the tender documents through the following link: Tender documents

James Merlino, Deputy Premier of Victoria and Minister for Education, said:

“This is the biggest public transport project in Australia, we want the best in the world to build it, and we’re getting it done. We can’t sit around and wait for the Federal Government to make up its mind. Melbourne needs the Metro Tunnel and we will build it." 

Jacinta Allan, Australian Minister for Public Transport, added:

“Melbourne is growing, but we can’t run more trains because the City Loop is full. The Metro Tunnel will free up space in the Loop to run more trains in and out of the City. We’re looking to partner with the world’s best to build the back-bone of a better train system for Melbourne, the Metro Tunnels and five new stations.”