Melbourne initiates £60 billion Suburban Rail Loop project

A massive rail project is being built in Melbourne, Australia. It is the largest infrastructure project the city has ever undertaken, costing about £60 billion. The goal is to improve transportation for the city's 5.3 million residents and reshape their daily travel. The Suburban Rail Loop will feature 90 kilometers of new rail lines running around Melbourne's suburbs. It aims to make train travel more convenient, as currently, only 3% of people use the train to commute. In comparison, half of the city’s workers drive to work. Public consultations for the project are currently open, allowing residents to give their opinions until April 22. Nearly 10,000 submissions have already been received. The first phase includes 26 kilometers of tunnels and six new stations, expected to cost around £16 billion and finish by 2035. Two more phases will come after that, including a connection to the airport, with completion for the entire project not expected until 2084. As Melbourne grows, it is adapting to modern needs, aiming to become a well-connected city with improved public transport options.