The Victorian Government is whipping up public excitement ahead of the arrival of six large tunnel boring machines (TBMs) for the Metro Tunnel and West Gate Tunnel projects.
The machines will start arriving early next year.
TBMs are traditionally given female names, a tradition the Victorian Government says tems from the 1500s, when miners prayed to Saint Barbara for protection.
Victorian transport minister Jacinta Allan said the Government wants the public to suggest inspiring or ground-breaking women, after whom the machines will be named.
A preference will be made for Victorians suggested for the honour.
“This competition gives the public a unique opportunity to learn more about the monumental engineering feat we are undertaking to build the massive public transport and road projects Victoria desperately needs,” Allan said.
“Just like the tunnel boring machines will break through ground to create city changing infrastructure, we’re looking for groundbreaking women that changed our state.”
Entries to the TBM naming competition can be submitted at www.bigbuild.vic.gov.au, with the competition to close on 7 October.