Agreement signed to progress delivery of Melbourne Airport Rail Link
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has been signed between the Australian and Victorian Governments as well as Australian Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd to progress the Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) towards construction.
The MoU also means the three parties have agreed to work together to commence the delivery of the airport rail project and establish a Sterring Committee led by senior officials from each organisation to progress MARL.
“Melbourne Airport Rail Link is an important rail project, which will pave the way for faster and safer journeys for passengers across the state for decades to come.
“We are getting on with delivering the first stage of Melbourne Airport Rail, reconfiguring freight, regional and Suburban tracks between West Footscray and Albion to make space for this important new rail link,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams said.
Under the MoU, all parties will work collectively, in good faith, to finalise the path to construction and deliver this vital project for all Victorians.
The signing of this agreement is the next step in the delivery of the new airport rail link, and it builds on the decision to kick start works to rebuild Sunshine Station.
“Many Victorians have spent a lifetime hearing of a rail link to the airport, and today we are telling them that we will work together in good faith to get it done.
“We want to keep this project moving which is why we brought in an independent mediator, why we’ve been acting on his recommendations and why we’re investing to make it happen.
“MARL will enhance the resilience and reliability of the transport network, better connecting Melbourne’s growing population to where they live, work and play,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
Melbourne Aiport Rail Link map (source: Victoria's Big Build)
The reconstruction of Sunshine Station is vital to enable services to Melbourne Airport and Keilor East, with the project set to untangle six kilometres of track between Footscray and Albion to cater for freight, metro trains and about 70 per cent of the V/Line network. This project also paves the way for future upgrades in the west.
The signing of the MoU follows the Australian Government’s recent $2 billion additional investment and the Victorian Government bringing forward funding to enable works at Sunshine Station.
The Melbourne Airport Rail Link is part of the Suburban Rail Loop development – a 90-kilometre orbital rail line that provides a direct link to Melbourne Airport.
“Airport rail will increase the transport option for our passengers and staff, and we are pleased to work with the Australian and Victorian Governments to progress this project for Melbourne.
“This Memorandum of Understanding formalises the compromise we made in July last year to help airport rail become a reality,” Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus said.
The proposed scope of Melboure Airport Rail includes:
- A new premium station at Melbourne Airport with services every 10 minutes
- Major changes to the rail network around Sunshine Station to enable a rail line to the airport and pave the way for electrification to Melton
- New twin tracks rising over Anderson Road through to the start of the Albion-Jacana corridor, elevating the rail line over the Sunbury corridor, Ballarat Road and St Albans Road (less than 2 kilometres)
- Twin tracks continuing at ground level along the Albion-Jacana corridor, including a new rail bridge to cross over the Maribyrnong River alongside the existing heritage bridge
- A new station at Keilor East
- A rebuild of Albion Station
- A new rail bridge to cross over the Western Ring Road (M80)
- Changes to existing road bridges, pedestrian and cycling connections and other rail infrastructure upgrades - such as new signalling and power systems - along the length of the route
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Melbourne Airport; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Victoria's Big Build - Melbourne Airport Rail
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