Victorian Premier Ben Carroll has committed to advancing the first stage of the Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) project, while simultaneously aiming to reduce its overall cost by about 6%.
On Tuesday, Mr Carroll is scheduled to announce changes to the scope of SRL East, the initial 26km tunnel section connecting Cheltenham and Box Hill. These adjustments are projected to save an estimated $1bn. Additionally, an "independent, technical review" will be commissioned to identify an extra $1bn in savings.
No new contracts will be awarded until this review is finalised. However, the government has confirmed that all existing works will continue, with tunnelling between Burwood and Glen Waverley expected to commence soon.
The combined measures are intended to decrease the total cost of SRL East from a maximum of $34.5bn, as outlined in the 2021 business and investment case, to approximately $32.3bn.
Changes to SRL East's scope include the removal of underground station interchanges at Box Hill and Glen Waverley, a second station entrance at Clayton, and "complex" pedestrian bridges in Burwood and Cheltenham. A planned multilevel car park at Glen Waverley, intended to replace around 400 parking spaces lost due to construction, will also be scrapped. The SRL Community Projects Fund will conclude after the current round of grants.