A team made up of Spain’s Acciona, Cimic subsidiary CPB Contractors and Italy’s Ghella has signed a US$2.4bn tunnelling contract for Melbourne’s Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) East project.

The Suburban Connect consortium will build a 16km section of the SRL’s 26km twin tunnels, as well as two underground station boxes.

Juan Santamaria, Cimic group’s executive chairman, said: “We are pleased to be selected by the Victorian government to construct this valuable piece of infrastructure, improving the lives of people across east and southeast Melbourne.”

When fully complete, the loop will be a 90km network linking every major train service with Melbourne Airport, “better connecting Victorians to jobs, retail, education, health services and each other”, as the state government says on its website.

Jason Spears, CPB Contractors’ managing director, commented: “Working collaboratively with the Victorian government and the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, CPB Contractors is committed to supporting residents, local communities and businesses by providing Victorians with every opportunity to benefit from the social, employment, skills and sustainability outcomes.”

Major tunnelling work on the project is expected to begin in 2026.

A second SRL contract will be awarded next year for the tunnels between Glen Waverley and Box Hill. The entire system is not due to be up and running before 2035.