Work has begun on Melbourne’s Airport Rail Link, starting with a $4.1 billion transformation of Sunshine Station.
The first phase of the landmark project will create a “transport superhub” at Sunshine and involves six kilometres of raised track being built between West Footscray and Albion, as well as the realignment of existing passenger and freight lines.
Two new regional platforms will also be added at Sunshine to facilitate transfers between regional Victoria and the airport, with an extended concourse.
Two rail bridges will separate the six regional and metro lines and eliminate bottlenecks, supporting more than 1000 train services per day through Sunshine Station in the future.
This work to “untangle” the complex rail junction at Sunshine is intended to create space for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) and future electrified services to Melton, both running through the Metro Tunnel.
New “modern and accessible” stations will also be delivered at Tottenham and Albion as part of the project, with work commencing at Tottenham in 2027.
Early designs have now been released for the new Sunshine interchange, and work has started to relocate underground utilities and prepare underground service lines along the rail corridor.
A contract for the enabling works package has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, ARUP, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and VIDA Rail.
Stage one of the Sunshine Station Masterplan will be delivered in conjunction with the project and includes a pedestrian and cycling path over the rail line, an upgraded bus interchange, and a new station forecourt with open spaces at each entrance.
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said a rail link to Melbourne Airport has been talked about for as long as she 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.”
Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said: “Rebuilding Sunshine Station is the first stage of delivering Melbourne Airport Rail and it will help pave the way for more services across Melbourne’s west.”
Locals can have their say on the designs and new open spaces around Sunshine Station at engage.vic.gov.au/airportrail-stage1.
