Webuild, the Italian construction and engineering giant, through the Terra Verde joint venture, has closed a deal worth a total of 1,7 billion Australian dollars (1 billion euro approximately) for the design and construction of the “Tunnels North” lot of the suburban rail loop east, which is transforming public transport in Melbourne.
Webuild, with a share of 33,5%, leads the Terra Verde joint venture which will build the lot in an international consortium with Gs E&C of the South Korean Gs Group and with Bouygues Construction Australia of the French Bouygues. The same joint venture had already been appointed preferred bidders last July.
The title Webuild at Piazza Affari quoted at mid-morning at 2,70 euros, up 1,43%. In the last month it has gained almost 8%.
This strengthens the presence in Australia of Webuild and its Australian subsidiary Clough, expanding the number of infrastructure projects that the Group is carrying out in the country to improve sustainable mobility. Australia today represents for the Group the most important non-domestic marketa backlog of 10,4 billion euros (June 2024).
The 20-kilometer mega loop divided into two parallel tunnels
Commissioned by the Suburban Rail Loop Authority, the contract calls for the excavation of two parallel tunnels, long each about 10 kilometers, between the future Box Hill and Glen Waverley stations, and the construction of 39 secondary connecting tunnels and functional structures for the construction of two future stations. The construction of the tunnels will involve the use of large mechanical moles that will allow for the mechanized excavation of the galleries.
Il suburban rail loop is a 90-kilometer orbital railway line that will help support the ongoing transformation of the city, ensuring more transportation and the possibility of expanding residential areas, Webuild explains. The first phase of this project, the suburban rail loop east, is currently under construction, with tunnel excavation expected to begin in 2026 and commissioning in 2035. There are currently 12 Webuild projects in the country, to which will be added the new one just awarded, with over 6.000 people employed, including direct and third-party personnel.
The Suburban Rail Loop project adds to another infrastructure project the group is carrying out in Melbourne, a rapidly expanding city: the North East Link tunnel excavation, deals with the city highway network, which will connect the main industrial and residential districts, reducing travel times and the number of cars on the roads.
