RAIL - Back On Track Forum

Heraldsun.com.au----> Kinks emerge in Andrews Government's Suburban Rail Loop plan

Quote
The ambitious $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop could instead end up as a series of disjointed shuttle services, with a push to shoehorn the airport rail link into the project causing serious planning headaches.

The $50 billion Suburban Rail Loop could end up as a series of disjointed shuttle services, forcing commuters to change trains to navigate around it.

Concerns are mounting about how the loop will service Melbourne's west, with the government's push to shoehorn the airport rail link into the project causing headaches.

The first two sections of the biggest public transport project in the nation's history are supposed to be a tunnel from Cheltenham to Box Hill, and the airport rail connection in the northwest.

While design work is well advanced on the southeastern section, with construction to start in 2022, continuing uncertainty about airport rail has become a stumbling block on the western side.

The government's preferred airport rail link via the Metro Tunnel means new tracks between Sunshine and Tullamarine will be designed for high-capacity trains — not the dedicated hi-tech fleet promised for the Suburban Rail Loop.

With the rest of the loop to be built in stages, this means commuters may have to change trains several times to travel around the 90km line.

Insiders say doubt has also emerged about the government's commitment to round out the loop with new tracks from Sunshine's transport super hub to Werribee.

Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said the loop had "huge potential" to open up the west.

"The eastern section is pretty well defined but the west might have to involve more tracks," he said.

Rail Futures Institute president John Hearsch raised similar questions, saying the loop "doesn't do anything for the western suburbs because it doesn't do anything that isn't already there".

He also said it was clear the idea of a continuous orbital loop "was never going to work".

Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said airport rail was "being designed and planned in conjunction with the Suburban Rail Loop to provide commuters with the fastest and most direct connections".

But authorities are grappling with whether the airport rail link itself will become part of the loop, or if dedicated lines — and extra platforms at a new Tullamarine underground station and at Sunshine — would be required too.

Mr Hearsch said integrating a separate loop line would require Melbourne Airport to build a bigger station which may not fit with roadworks already underway outside the terminals.

Ms Allan said: "Suburban Rail Loop will transform our public transport system, changing the way we move around Melbourne and easing congestion right across our road and train networks."

Herald Sun --> Suburban Rail Loop starting point could shift north and link to Southland shopping centre

QuoteThe first underground station for the $100 billion Suburban Rail Loop is likely to be built next to a major retail and entertainment centre in Melbourne's southeastern suburbs.

The Andrews Government has been developing plans for its orbital subway line that would connect Melbourne's middle suburbs and employment hubs via 90km of track.
Works on the first stage, linking Cheltenham to Box Hill via a 27km tunnel, are set to begin in 2022.

But rather than locking in the starting point at Cheltenham station, engineers are testing sites near to Southland station — which is in the same suburb but about 1km north along the Frankston rail line.

Plans haven't been ticked off by Cabinet, but community consultation seems to also favour Southland due to its link to Westfield's shopping centre that employs thousands of people in 400 stores.

If approved, it would lead to major housing and commercial developments and a mini-metropolis for the growing southeastern suburbs.

Plans would also leave open the door to extending tracks down the road to the Sandringham line next to Port Phillip Bay.

Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said no decision on station locations had been made, although the broad alignment and precinct locations for the line between Cheltenham and Box Hill were locked in.

"We're getting on with the planning and engineering works necessary to allow construction to start – which will deliver enormous economic benefits and thousands of jobs," Ms Allan said.

"Suburban Rail Loop will transform our public transport system and our suburbs and we'll have more to say on its progress soon."

Opposition Transport Infrastructure spokesman David Davis said the project was still a "line drawn on an envelope" and was likely to cost more than $150 billion.

But he said Southland would make an "obvious hub" if the project went ahead.
"The real question is, when does the community get the see the business case?" he said.

Drilling has already begun across 4km and 100 sites to determine the best tunnel alignment for the SRL, and how to link with other radial rail lines that run into the CBD.

It's understood experts have flagged issues with building an underground link at Cheltenham station due to a recent level crossing removal, which sunk the rail line into a trench.

Plans for that redesign were approved in March 2019 — four months before geotechnical testing began for SRL but after the broad alignment was announced by Premier Daniel Andrews.

Site inspections near Southland have been taking at Sir William Fry Reserve on Nepean Hwy, near to where a redevelopment at a former gas and fuel site is taking place.

Residents have objected to the scale and height of plans, and want to protect the reserve for open space.

Having the SRL begin at Southland would be a major boon for Westfield, which also has a shopping centre at Doncaster where another underground station is planned for the project.

Cheltenham-Southland is a Major Activity Centre in the government's Plan Melbourne strategy up to 2050.

The Suburban Rail Loop, which is unfunded, would connect Melbourne's major radial rail lines to a new orbital subway system and usher in new large-scale development of key precincts along the route, such as at Monash University in Clayton and Deakin University in Burwood.
Super hubs are planned at Sunshine, Broadmeadows, and Clayton to connect to regional lines, and a planned new airport link would also be connected.



■ 15 underground stations

■ 10 new interchanges at existing rail lines

■ $100 billion cost estimate

■ $300 million for planning and early works

■ 90km of new track

■ 27km tunnel for Stage One — Cheltenham to Box Hill

■ 20,000 jobs during construction

■ 3 transport super hubs at Sunshine, Broadmeadows and Clayton

I guess the trains will be fully automated by then? It looks like it from the artist's impression.

That's the current intention.

https://twitter.com/suburbanloop/status/1310462059893661696

I think the western leg of the SRL should go from the Airport to Watergardens, Caroline Springs, Tarniet, Werribee, since all that land out there is earmarked for urban expansion, if it were actually built.

Trying to shoehorn the SRL via Sunshine makes no sense IMO because the airport rail link itself is already sufficent on that leg.

I dont have a problem with people having to change trains because its going to be frequent anyway, and its not like people will do the full 90km line in one hit anyway.

There is an article in the The Age stating that construction will start on the Melbourne suburban rail loop from Cheltenham to Box Hill in 2022. This section does make sense to complete first as it will also provide services to Monash Uni.

^

https://www.facebook.com/DanielAndrewsMP/posts/3604749396256237

ABC News --> Melbourne's new Suburban Rail Loop to start at Cheltenham, $2.2 billion announced for early works

Melbourne Age --> Families in shock as they're told to get out for the loop $

Owners of 300 homes and residences have been notified that their property may be impacted by the project.

Daniel Bowen

Suburban Rail Loop: station locations confirmed

> https://www.danielbowen.com/2020/11/17/srl-station-locations-confirmed/

Rail Express --> Suburban Rail Loop construction confirmed to start in 2022

Rail Express --> Expressions of Interest open for Suburban Rail Loop

https://twitter.com/suburbanloop/status/1338974695765528581

Suburban Rail Loop Stage One Project Outline

https://suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/-/media/Project/VicRoads/SuburbanRailLoop/Planning-page/Suburban-Rail-Loop-Stage-One-Project-Outline.pdf

This section of the SRL really is the best part of the project IMO. Basically all the stations are at huge trip generators that would really benefit from the orbital design (particularly Monash)

A few things I noticed:
- The route takes quite a significant deviation to get from Glen Waverley to Burwood, it's not exactly super direct. Although I get why they are placing the station there (Deakin University). Another good trip generator
- I don't know why they're calling Cheltenham station as such when it's actually located at Southland station. I know Southland is just named for the shopping centre and the station is still technically located in Cheltenham, but I just feel like that's a very confusing way of naming it if you're now gonna have two "Cheltenham" stations nowhere near each other. The Southland Location does make more sense again though as a good trip generator.
- The only station that appears to have a direct link to the existing station is Box Hill, via an underground concourse. Glen Waverley is built in the adjacent Park and Ride (that's fine), but both Southland/Cheltenham and Clayton stations are like, across a road, so the two station precincts would feel pretty distinct I think (much like we were afraid Bogoo road/Park road might be). It's obviously easier from an engineering perspective to put the stations where they have, it just seems awkward for a customer requiring to transfer between the lines. Maybe they're not expecting a lot of transferring?

Sent from my SM-G950F using Tapatalk

https://twitter.com/JacintaAllanMP/status/1378900106154364932

https://suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au

The Age --> Thrown in a loop: How Daniel Andrews' biggest project was cooked up behind closed doors $

QuoteOriginally codenamed Operation Halo, this was an infrastructure project so secret that board members of the government agency responsible for its delivery knew nothing about it until it was announced. ...

The Age --> Fears of 'maze-like' suburban loop stations lacking links to trains and unis $

QuoteMayors in Melbourne's eastern and south-eastern suburbs fear new Suburban Rail Loop stations will be designed like a "maze", lacking seamless connections to nearby train stations, universities and shopping centres.

Early designs for six stations along a 26-kilometre tunnel between Cheltenham and Box Hill show several key stops — Monash, Cheltenham and Burwood — will be built opposite a major activity hub or train station, on the other side of a major highway or road. ...

19th August 2021

Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) is a step closer with the release of the Business and Investment Case outlining how it will deliver more jobs, better services and access to housing as Victoria continues to grow.

>> https://suburbanrailloop.vic.gov.au/News/next-steps-for-suburban-rail-loop

Yeah I like him he makes a lot of sense.

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1430183139704557575

Herald Sun --> Suburban Rail Loop to form new precincts in suburbs  $

QuoteLocal neighbourhoods built around stations on the Suburban Rail Loop will be reborn with new public transport interchanges, undercover bike parking and 15km of paths.

New designs detailing how the first stage of the mega-project will look above ground at Cheltenham, Burwood and Glen Waverley have been released before a more detailed environment effects statement on Friday.

The documents will be publicly available until December 16 to allow for public feedback and consideration of further design changes before major construction begins. ...

SRL East EES

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/suburban-rail-loop/planning/ees

Herald Sun --> Suburban Rail Loop to get $9.3bn kickstart for project's first stage $

QuoteVictoria's Suburban Rail Loop project will be kickstarted with $9.3bn funding to begin works on the project's first stage.

The first part of the project will include the construction of 26km twin rail tunnels and six underground stations between Cheltenham and Box Hill.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan announced the highly awaited figure on Thursday at Box Hill TAFE, which will become home to a new underground tunnel.

The Premier said the total cost of the project's first stage would end up costing between $30 and $35bn.

"This costs a lot, but it costs so much more if you don't build it," he said. ...

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1463663195894128643

Suburban Rail Loop

>> https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/projects/suburban-rail-loop

Federal Labor has just announced funding support for the suburban rail loop.

^ $2.2B contribution pledge.

NSW and Victoria get many billions of $, nary a business case or much else.

QLD constantly misses out ...

Quote from: ozbob on May 10, 2022, 09:58:12 AM^ $2.2B contribution pledge.

NSW and Victoria get many billions of $, nary a business case or much else.

QLD constantly misses out ...

Hopefully federal labor also commits to funding for CAMCOS. 

If we're greedy maybe even the Beaudesert line, the North West Transport Corridor,  duplication to Nambour, and duplication to Cleveland. Wouldn't that be the dream 

Quote from: ozbob on May 10, 2022, 09:58:12 AM^ $2.2B contribution pledge.

NSW and Victoria get many billions of $, nary a business case or much else.

QLD constantly misses out ...

QLD's priorities (both major parties) has been and still is "freeways".

Quote from: Jonno on May 10, 2022, 10:32:42 AM

Quote from: ozbob on May 10, 2022, 09:58:12 AM^ $2.2B contribution pledge.

NSW and Victoria get many billions of $, nary a business case or much else.

QLD constantly misses out ...

QLD's priorities (both major parties) has been and still is "freeways".

Yep. I think the main reason Victoria is getting the funding promise from Labor is because they were already looking into it and creating proposals and drafts. What has QLD done for CAMCOS? A feasibility study from 10+ years ago... It's not the federal governments responsibility to kickstart transport projects in a state; it's the states responsibility. Only then can the state ask for funding and the federal government pledge their support.

Because of that reason I think the LNP government providing funding for CAMCOS in the budget before the state government was even remotely interested was more for their own interests, rather than to improve public transport. I hope this is just my pessimism and not reality but it's hard to see it any other way.

https://twitter.com/DanielAndrewsMP/status/1532134637296033794

Construction starts on SRL East

2nd June 2022

https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/suburban-rail-loop/construction-starts-today-on-srl-east

One of the most important projects in Victoria's history is now underway, with construction starting today on Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) – a jobs juggernaut that will deliver better public transport, connect communities and ease road congestion for generations to come.

Construction kicked off in Clayton this morning with works to lay a new 630m sewer pipe – dug by a remote-controlled micro-tunnelling machine –beginning a massive program of initial and early works which will create up to 800 local jobs.

The first phase of works for SRL East between Cheltenham and Box Hill will also include road modifications, service relocation and preparation for three sites where the tunnel boring machines (TBMs) will be launched.

Up to 10 TBMs are expected to carve the 26km of twin tunnels, linking the 6 new underground stations.

SRL East will be open by 2035 – the first of 3 stages of the 90km orbital loop linking every major rail line via the airport – connecting major employment, health and education centres, creating a pipeline of jobs and training opportunities, and slashing travel times. A trip from Cheltenham to Box Hill will take just 22 minutes.

The new station at Clayton will be a transport super hub – connecting regional Victorians to SRL and one of the busiest interchange stations on the network.

SRL East will generate up to 8,000 jobs during construction, with exciting opportunities for local industry and suppliers. The Clayton site has been established by Indigenous construction firm Wamarra – the first sub-contractor employed on this city-shaping project.

Over more than 2 million hours, workers have completed thousands of lab tests and surveys, and geotechnical investigations at more than 840 sites.

The Age --> Mayors demand rethink on Suburban Rail Loop plans $

QuoteMayors have told the Andrews government to redesign parts of its flagship Suburban Rail Loop project amid concern poor connections to existing Metro train lines and other public transport could undermine the $34.5 billion project.

The City of Monash started writing to about 24,500 households last week highlighting its concerns about the design of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) station at Glen Waverley, where passengers will have to exit the new underground station and walk about 200 metres at ground level to transfer to the Metro station. ...

I think the SRL should also link up to Brighton/Sandringham. Odd that it doesn't.

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/getting-suburban-rail-loop

Getting On With The Suburban Rail Loop

10 August 2022

Victoria's biggest infrastructure project – the Suburban Rail Loop East – has been given the green light following Ministerial assessment of its environmental effects.

An independent inquiry received more than 360 submissions over 39 days of public hearings before recommending strong outcomes that will benefit the community during construction and operation.

In her capacity as the Minister under the Environmental Effect Statement Act, Minister Lily D'Ambrosio's assessment endorsed the inquiry's recommendations and found the environmental effects of the project acceptable. She noted SRL East will bring enormous benefits to the community, with careful management of the environmental impacts.

SRL East will deliver 26 kilometres of twin tunnels and six new underground stations between Cheltenham and Box Hill, with trains running by 2035 and an end-to-end trip taking just 22 minutes.

The Minister found many impacts have been avoided by putting the line underground, and that the environmental effects of SRL East have been identified and carefully considered through the EES – the state's most rigorous and transparent assessment and approvals process.

The process addressed construction and operational outcomes for local residents, including:

Replacement of open space required for the project, including new parkland to offset the land required for the SRL stabling facility at Heatherton
Tougher requirements to limit construction noise and traffic impacts
Additional bicycle connections and footpaths to encourage walking and cycling, including connections to the Ringwood Cycling Corridor in Box Hill, and upgrading Gardiners Creek Trail
More support for businesses affected by construction
Construction of SRL East started in June with initial works in Clayton - creating the first of up to 8,000 jobs. This endorsement by the independent Inquiry and Advisory Committee comes after the Business and Investment Case revealed the project stacks up – returning up to $1.70 to the economy for every dollar spent.

The Andrews Labor Government has created open space, sporting and recreation facilities, built bike paths and worked to mitigate construction impacts on residents and businesses across our 165 Big Build projects and this approach will continue as we get on with the Suburban Rail Loop.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Suburban Rail Loop Jacinta Allan

"Victorians voted for this project, that will create thousands of jobs – and it's great to see this independent assessment give this project the green light."

"We're getting on with this project that will connect communities in the east and southeast and we'll continue to work with local communities along the way."

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1572594740247556097