The contracts to build the biggest public transport project in Victoria’s history and equip it with next-generation, high-capacity signalling have been signed.

Premier Daniel Andrews and Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan today announced that final contracts to deliver the $6 billion tunnels and stations package have been signed with the Cross Yarra Partnership (CYP) – a consortium led by Lendlease Engineering, John Holland Bouygues Construction and Capella Capital.

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

It’s the biggest contract on the biggest public transport project ever delivered in Victoria and paves the way for major construction on the tunnel and stations to start next year.

The final contract has also been signed with CPB Contractors and Bombardier Transportation to start work on the roll-out of high-capacity signalling on the Metro Tunnel.

The $1.1 billion Rail Systems Alliance will allow trains to safely run closer together, meaning they can run more often – creating a turn-up-and-go train network for Melbourne.

High capacity signalling will mean Victoria’s new fleet of 65 High Capacity Metro Trains will be able to run from Sunbury to Cranbourne and Pakenham and through the Metro Tunnel.

It will be the first time this technology has been rolled out on an existing network in Australia and will allow trains every two to three minutes.

The $11 billion Metro Tunnel project is on-budget, on-time and will create nearly 7,000 jobs – including 500 apprentices, trainees and engineering cadets.

Early works are well underway, major works will start next year and the project will be complete by 2026.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

“We are building the world-class turn up and go train network Victoria deserves – with more jobs, more stations and more trains, more often.”

“We don’t just talk about building the big roads and public transport Victoria needs – we’re getting it done.”

Quotes attributable to Minister for Public Transport Jacinta Allan

“We’re not wasting a minute delivering the Metro Tunnel, which will create jobs and a new community on the doorstep of the CBD.”

“We’re getting things done, ramping up construction on this massive project to deliver a world class train network for Victorians where trains come so often you can throw away the timetable.”