Work has commenced to enable the first stage of one of Melbourne’s biggest rail projects.

And early designs for the project’s first stage have been released.

At a joint press conference held on Wednesday, the Commonwealth and Victorian Governments released the early designs for Stage 1 of the Melbourne Airport Rail Link.

The ministers also announced that enabling works for the project have commenced.

These involve relocation of underground utilities and preparation of underground service lines along the rail corridor.

(Sunbury line flyover)

Set to open in 2030, Melbourne Airport Rail will connect the Melbourne CBD to Melbourne Airport for the first time.

The first stage involves a $4.1 billion upgrade of the existing rail corridor spanning over 6 kilometers from West Footscray and Albion.

This aims to untangle a complex rail junction at Sunshine and create space for the new airport link.

It will also enable future electrified services to Melton.

Specifically, the works include six kilometres of new track, two rail bridges and realigned passenger and freight lines.

These will remove bottlenecks and allow more trains, more often.

The program also involves the transformation of Sunshine Station into a regional superhub. The new hub will connect regional services, the Metro Tunnel and future airport trains in one central location.

The station will be expanded with a longer concourse and two new regional platforms.

To improve safety, lighting and CCTV will be upgraded.

A further $143 million will improve the precinct around the station.

This includes better walking and cycling links, a modern bus interchange and new community open spaces.

The two governments have also announced that:

  • A new Tottenham Station will be built on the realigned Sunbury Line. The new station will be fully accessible and will include upgraded lighting and a pedestrian underpass. Early designs will be released in the coming months. Construction will begin next year.
  • A new Albion Station will be built (fully funded by the Victorian Government) to deliver modern and accessible facilities.

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

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King welcomed the package.

“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,” King said.

“For people in Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and my hometown of Ballarat these upgrades to Sunshine will change the way we move around the state.”

 

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