Lendlease-led Consortium Wins $6 billion Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project

The Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) – a consortium led by Lendlease Engineering, John Holland, Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital – has been selected to build the Metro Tunnel and five new underground stations.

Premier Daniel Andrews joined Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan on Sunday to announce the decision: “We’ve chosen the design, we’ve chosen the builders and we’re getting on with it.” he said.

The decision follows an extensive competitive tender process with the world’s most experienced construction and tunnelling contractors.

The total project value is estimated at $11 billion, the price of which includes the tunnel's entrances, other station upgrades and signalling changes.

The Cross Yarra Partnership said in a statement: "We are delighted to be selected as the preferred bidder for one of the biggest public transport projects in Victorian history.

"The State Government’s investment in the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project will transform the city by improving connectivity across Melbourne and acting as a catalyst for urban renewal.

"We look forward to working with the State, our partners, the community and other stakeholders to deliver a world class public transport solution with innovative design and opportunities for local employment and procurement."

The Tunnels and Stations package will create more than 5,000 jobs, including apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.

The project will build five new underground stations, each with its own identity. They will include wider platforms, more natural light and sweeping arches, bringing world-class urban design to the heart of Melbourne and its train network.

There will be revitalised open space above ground at all five stations, and additional entrances to reduce crowding on major streets in the CBD, including two entrances at City Square, and at Swanston Street, Flinders Street, Federation Square, Franklin Street and La Trobe Street.

In Parkville, a new entrance will be built on the doorstep of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, giving thousands of people from Melbourne and regional Victoria better access to the Hospital.

Walkways at Flinders Street and Melbourne Central stations will be put underground, allowing passengers to change easily between the Metro Tunnel stations and the City Loop, creating a true, international-style metro network.

Domain station will feature a floating timber canopy and sit below the new tram interchange on St Kilda Road, relieving the pressure on the world’s busiest tram corridor.

Early works are well underway, with major construction on the tunnel and stations expected to start next year.

The Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan said, "The Metro Tunnel will free up space in the City Loop to run more trains, more often across Melbourne.”

“The Metro Tunnel will change Melbourne forever with a world class design that will see new open space, terraced seating and sweeping arches.”