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Works have begun to enable Melbourne Airport’s long-awaited rail link, with construction underway to expand the interchange at Sunshine Station.
The federal and Victorian governments have released early designs for the Sunshine superhub, which will see a $4.1 billion investment to “untangle the complex rail junction” and create space for the much-delayed new airport rail link, which will join the Melbourne train network at the station.
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“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,” said Federal Transport Minister Catherine King.
“For people in Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and my hometown of Ballarat, these upgrades to Sunshine will change the way we move around the state.”
The project will include six kilometres of new track, two rail bridges and realigned passenger and freight lines, with Sunshine to receive a longer concourse and two new platforms to link the airport rail with the Metro Tunnel and regional services.
Additionally, the Sunbury Line will be realigned to make room for the airport rail, with a new station to be built at Albion.
According to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, Gabrielle Williams, these works will pave the way for the airport link.
“Airport rail is dependent on the works that happen here, between the Sunshine and West Footscray to Albion section. I’ve outlined a few reasons why that’s so critically important in terms of Melbourne Airport rail, and why it’s critical to that particular project,” she said.
“It’s because we need to realign the track to make way for the new Melbourne Airport alignment. So, you need to effectively make space for that new track. Obviously, moving what’s underground. In this case, a very significant jet fuel pipeline is a part of that.
“So, that is work that has to be done before you can commence that other more visible above-ground work, and we’re getting on and getting started with that work while we’re up for consultation on the Sunshine Station aspects of this project.”
The airport rail link will have three stations – the interchange at Sunshine, a new station serving Keilor East and the Airport West precinct, and the airport itself. Passengers will be able to travel straight through from the airport to the city.
