The government of Victoria is in search of expressions of interest for Australia’s biggest-ever enabling works contract, for Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop.

The scope of work includes upgrades to roads and power supplies, utility relocations, sub-station construction and ground improvements. Sites across Melbourne’s southeast will also be prepared to accommodate tunnel boring machines.

Stage one of the Suburban Rail Loop will run 26km, connecting Cheltenham and Box Hill. Station locations have not been finalised, but a proposed route begins near Southland, adjacent to Monash and Deakin universities, in the centre of Box Hill and Glen Waverley.

Further stages of development include extensions to Melbourne’s northern suburbs and Melbourne Airport.

About US$1.6bn has been invested into the project by the Victorian government, and 20,000 jobs will be created during its main construction phase.