Works begin to rebuild Sunshine Station as part of Melbourne Airport Rail
The critical first part of the multi-billion-dollar Melbourne Airport Rail project is now underway with works kicking off to rebuild Sunshine Station.
The Victorian and Australian Governments have committed $5 billion each towards the Melbourne Airport Rail project, which is being delivered as part of the massive Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) development.
The $63.5 million Sunshine Station rebuild will help unlock capacity for future infrastructure upgrades in the west.
“We are working alongside the Victorian Government as we take this crucial first step to deliver Melbourne Airport Rail,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
“Rebuilding Sunshine Station will help unlock capacity for future upgrades for Melbourne’s growing west,” VIC Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson said.
The project will include delivering additional platforms, track and bridge works as well as signalling improvements to help untangle the complex junction that services both freight and about 70 per cent of V/Line’s network – including the Geelong, Bendigo and Ballarat lines.
Upgrading Sunshine Station will increase its capacity for additional services from Wyndham Vale while also allowing future electrified trains to run from Melton. In addition, the upgraded station will enable up to six trains per hour to travel to Melbourne Airport.
“The development of Sunshine Station is the next step in securing the airport rail link that will be great for the north west of Melbourne, and all Victorians,” Federal Member for Maribyrnong Bill Shorten said.
“Melbourne’s west is growing at a rapid rate and the new Sunshine Station will help to cater for this growth,” Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino said.
The station rebuild will be delivered alongside the State Government’s $143 million Sunshine Station Precinct Masterplan upgrade, which includes a new bus interchange and pedestrian links.
Rebuilding Sunshine Station will not only accommodate services to the airport and future upgrades of the network, but it will also help save time, costs and a large amount of disruption for locals, businesses and commuters.
“Whether it’s road upgrades, the West Gate Tunnel, Metro Tunnel, level crossing removals or a new station for Sunshine – only Labor is delivering the world-class infrastructure people in the west deserve,” VIC Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman said.
“Rebuilding Sunshine Station will create capacity for more frequent and reliable services in Melbourne’s surging west,” VIC Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly said.
Source: Premier of Victoria – Media Centre; Victoria’s Big Build – Melbourne Airport Rail; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Roads & Infrastructure Australia; Infrastructure Magazine
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