Stage 1 of Melbourne Airport Rail begins construction

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) has reached a major project milestone with works now underway on the new direct, reliable and faster public transport link to the airport.

The $4.1 billion Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 is jointly funded by the Australian and Victorian Governments, and it will upgrade six kilometres of rail between West Footscray and Albion with new rail bridges, new and upgraded tracks, new signalling technology, and realigned passenger and freight lines.

“A rail link to Melbourne Airport has been talked about for as long as I can remember, but it has taken two Labor Governments working together to get this started for the people of Victoria.

“For people in Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and my hometown of Ballarat these upgrades to Sunshine will change the way we move around the state,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

Artist impression of Sunshine Station Superhub (source: Engage Victoria)

This stage will also transform Sunshine Station into a transport superhub to help untangle Melbourne’s most complex rail junction outside the CBD as well as enable the future electrification of the Melton rail line. Early designs have been unveiled for the Sunshine Station Superhub.

Key features of the upgraded Sunshine Station Precinct include:

• New walking and cycling links creating better community connections
• New City Place Plaza featuring landscaped open space
• New station forecourt with open space and landscaping
• Two new regional platforms and station concourse
• Additional lifts to improve accessibility and safety to platforms
• Upgraded station carpark with dedicated pick-up and drop-off zone near station entrance
• A bicycle parkiteer, providing secure parking for cyclists
• Bus interchange upgrades
• Security cameras and improved lighting

Community feedback is now being sought for the new designs. Interested parties can have their say by visiting the project page on the Engage Victoria website.

The longer concourse and two new regional platforms at Sunshine Station will connect regional services as well as the Metro Tunnel and future airport trains in one central location.

The Allan Labor Government has committed $143 million to improve the precinct around Sunshine Station.

“Rebuilding Sunshine Station is the first stage of delivering Melbourne’s Airport Rail and it will help pave the way for more services across Melbourne’s west,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said.

“Sunshine is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation – and with new pedestrian and cycling links, and improved bus interchange, new station forecourts with open space and local improvements – we’re creating safer places and connections for local families,” VIC Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing said.

“This investment will transform Sunshine Station into a genuine local hub – improving daily journeys, opening up new walking and cycling connections and creating a precinct that better serves Sunshine residents, workers and businesses for decades to come,” Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino said.

“The Sunshine Station upgrades will make it easier for people to access a revitalised Sunshine Station and move around the suburb’s growing business district, changing the way locals live, work and travel,” VIC Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly said.

Artist impression of a new rail bridge connecting the Sunbury Line to Metro Tunnel (source: Engage Victoria)

The State Government will also be fully funding the delivery of two new stations at Albion and Tottenham.

The brand new, fully accessible Tottenham Station will be built on the realigned Sunbury Line to help improve local connections. The new station will include upgraded lighting and a pedestrian underpass for improved local connections and safety.

Early designs for the new Tottenham Station will be released in the coming months, with construction to begin next year.

The Sunbury Line will be realigned to make way for airport rail and a future electrified Melton Line, which will be supported by upgraded signalling to enable more services to run on the line.

Meanwhile, the new Albion Station will deliver modern and accessible facilities for passengers.

“The community will be thrilled the project now includes a brand-new Tottenham Station, which will improve access to public transport and make it easier for locals to get across the busy rail corridor,” VIC Member for Footscray Katie Hall said.

“The brand-new Albion Station upgrade is another win for our community – delivering modern, fully accessible facilities and better transport connections that will make everyday travel easier for locals,” VIC Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman said.

Works on Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 is now underway starting with relocating underground utilities and preparing underground service lines along the rail corridor.

The contract for the enabling works package has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, ARUP, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and VIDA Rail.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Melbourne Airport Rail (1, 2, 3)