Pupils visited the eastern tunnel entrance in Heatherton to learn about the TBMs that will start tunnelling this year. Each year students from local primary schools are nominated to become TBM Captains. As the project progresses, they will be able to learn more about SRL and report back to their class.
When SRL East opens in 2035, these students will be among those using SRL trains to travel to work, university and further education institutes.
The first 78-tonne TBM cutterhead arrived in Melbourne in December. A total for eight TBMs – four manufactured by Herrenknecht and four by China Railway Engineering Group (CREG) – will be used on the project.
TBMs will launch from Clarinda to dig the 16km southern section of tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley, while others will start in Burwood to dig the 10km section between Glen Waverley and Box Hill.
Two tunnel entrances are being built at Heatherton on the site of the future train stabling facility where the SRL East trains will come to the surface for cleaning and maintenance.
