While much of the nation has been forced to shutdown, it’s full steam ahead for works on the Sunshine Signal Control centre.
Construction on the high-tech centre began last month after the $6.5 million contract was awarded to Kapitol group.
The centre is part of the $1.1 billion Metro Tunnel Rail Systems Alliance works and is one of two facilities where staff will monitor train movements in real time on the Sunbury and Cranbourne/Pakenham lines and through the Metro Tunnel.
Just as importantly, the centre will create three new full-time jobs and provide work for 20 Victorian subcontractors – employing 120 people – during construction.
Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said it’s a major win for the region.
“The Sunshine Signal Control Centre is the vital link to deliver more trains, more often as part of the Metro Tunnel,” Ms Allan said.
“We’re not only getting on with the road and rail projects our city and state needs, we’re creating thousands of jobs – with more to come here at Sunshine.”
Steel, concrete, hydraulics and aluminium cladding for the project will all be locally sourced, with a target of 85 per cent Australian steel to be used for the project.
The project will also set employment targets to provide opportunities for priority jobseekers and Aboriginal workers.
Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman said the Sunshine facility will be one of two high-tech ‘nerve centres’ of Melbourne’s train network,
The Metro Tunnel will use high capacity signalling – an Australian first on an existing rail system – which allows trains to travel closer together by automatically adjusting their speed to maintain a safe distance using wireless communication between trains and the control centres.
Construction of the Sunshine Signal Control Centre is due to be completed later in 2020.
