Six SRL station concepts unveiled as government calls for expressions of interest

New images of how the Box Hill, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Monash, Clayton and Cheltenham stations will look have been released.

The first renders of the new SRL stations have been revealed.

The Victorian government has unveiled the artistic renders for six new stations for the controversial Suburban Rail Loop project.

Putting the call out for expressions of interest to build the SRL East stations, the government has revealed what Box Hill, Burwood, Glen Waverley, Monash, Clayton and Cheltenham stations are set to look like.

Construction on the contentious project is going ahead despite a federal government funding shortage and a projected $16bn cost blowout.

The price of building and running the Allan government’s SRL through middle Melbourne for five decades has skyrocketed to $216bn, Parliamentary Budget Office estimates showed in March.

The updated cost includes a $9bn blowout in construction and maintenance – blamed on rising costs and supply chain shortages – now expected to cost $134bn.

Its predicted $216bn price tag is only for the first two stages of the Loop, and does not include the final phase proposed for Melbourne Airport to Werribee.

However, tunnelling for SRL East is slated to start in 2026, with the contract to build 16km of twin tunnels between Cheltenham and Glen Waverley awarded late last year.

The Tunnels North contract will be awarded later this year.

Two global bidders have also been shortlisted to build the SRL trains, fit out the tunnels and operate and maintain the SRL East network.

According to the state government, SRL East stations will be among the busiest in Victoria, with 15,000 passengers expected to pass through Box Hill and Clayton stations every day.

The underground stations will feature natural light, bike parking spaces, connections between Metro trains, buses and trams, and a minimum 5 Green Star rating.

The concept designs for each of the stations has been inspired by the local history of each area.

SRL East from Cheltenham to Box Hill will connect employment, health and education centres in Melbourne’s east and southeast, with trains taking passengers from 2035.

Works at all six station sites will begin this year.

More than 1200 people are already working on the project.

Box Hill Station.

Burwood Station.

Clayton Station.

Cheltenham Station.

Glen Waverley Station.

Monash Station.