Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews announces plans for mega suburban rail tunnel

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled plans for a $50 billion public transport project, the biggest in Australian history.

Dubbed the "Suburban Rail Loop", the underground tunnels will connect all existing major rail lines with Doncaster and the airport, with up to 12 new stations. 

Planned stops include Cheltenham, Glen Waverley, Box Hill, Doncaster, Bundoora, Heidelberg, Melbourne Airport, and Werribee.

Three "super-hubs" located at Clayton, Broadmeadows and Sunshine will also be created to better connect regional Victorian passengers. 

The estimated cost of the project is about $50 billion, with the government committing $300 million for planning if re-elected in the imminent November 24 state election.

Construction of the south-east section, comprising Cheltenham to Box Hill, is set to begin in 2022 and is expected to take decades to complete, with the end date expected to be 2051.

“I won’t be the Premier when this project is finished,” Mr Andrews said, adding the project will lead to 20,000 jobs for Victorians.

“It’s exactly what the country’s fastest-growing city needs.”

Transport Minister Jacinta Allen said the underground will take up to 200,000 cars off the roads, with the line carrying up to 400,000 passengers a day.

“It will change the way people move around, and connect with each other,” Ms Allen said.

The state government says it has been working on the project for 12 months with Development Victoria, Pricewaterhouse Coopers and the Office of the Coordinator General.

Yet Infrastructure Victoria is understood to not have previously given recommendations on the project.

Labor leader Bill Shorten said the numbers would have to be studied, but Mr Andrews was "on the right track".

However, Opposition Treasurer Michael O'Brien said the proposal should be sent to Infrastructure Victoria for proper assessment, saying there was no detail on its cost or how it will be funded.

"With some estimates suggesting it will cost between $50 billion to $100 billion and a completion date beyond the year 2050, this looks more like a plan for the next election rather than a plan for the next generation," he said.

"No way you can build 90 kilometres of track for $50 billion."