The Albanese and Carroll Labor Governments are getting on with building Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2, with work set to begin in the coming weeks.
It will include a new 7.4-kilometre rail line from Albion toward the Airport precinct via a brand-new Keilor East station, as part of the $12 billion joint commitment from the Albanese and Carroll Labor Governments.
The line will connect directly to the Metro Tunnel and feature the same high-capacity signalling to enable frequent services.
Built alongside the Jacana freight corridor, the new line will feature 1.1 kilometres of elevated rail and cross the Maribyrnong River.
Site investigations, procurement and development works will begin in the coming weeks with community engagement and early designs to follow next year.
Major construction on Stage 2 will start in 2028 and finish in 2031, when trains will take passengers to Keilor East for the first time.
The Melbourne Airport Rail Steering Committee is continuing to work through options for the final stage of Airport Rail, Stage 3 which will include an above ground station at the Airport precinct.
Once complete, Keilor East station will connect an estimated 5,200 passengers a day to the city. Another 6,600 passengers and airport workers are expected to use the new line every hour.
The project will be delivered alongside the $4.1 billion Sunshine Superhub project – the first stage of Melbourne Airport Rail.
The project will transform Sunshine Station into a six-platform superhub and untangle six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion, creating capacity for 1,000 trains a day.
Due for completion in 2030, Stage 1 will deliver more trains, more often on the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo lines, and pave the way for the electrification of the Melton Line.
Quotes attributable to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese
"We're building Victoria's future, unlocking capacity to run more trains, more often, and ensuring we have a train line to Melbourne Airport."
Quotes attributable to Victorian Premier and State Member for Niddrie Ben Carroll
“Melbourne needs a direct rail link to the airport, that’s why we’re getting on and delivering it.
“A new Keilor East Station will give locals direct access to the city via the Metro Tunnel.
“Only Labor will fast-track a train line to Melbourne Airport, delivering more frequent services for Melbourne's west and brand-new stations at Tottenham, Albion and Keilor East.”
Quote attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King
“This is important progress that is getting us a step closer to a long-awaited rail connection to Melbourne’s airport. Only Labor Governments at a State and Federal level are working to deliver it.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Public Transport Vicki Ward
“This investment takes us closer to a train line to the airport and lays the groundwork for more trains across Melbourne's west.”
Quote attributable to Member for Fraser Dr Daniel Mullino
“Melbourne’s west is growing and previous Liberal Governments didn’t invest in the infrastructure our communities needed. This new line and accompanying stations won’t just give us a valuable link to the airport, but a direct line to the city for thousands of people in the west.
Quote attributable to Member for Maribyrnong Jo Briskey
“The heart of this project is people. Connecting workers to jobs; people to services; and every day providing 5,200 members of my community with access to the city through the new Keilor East Station.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly
“Construction on Melbourne Airport Rail is already underway, with works ramping up to untangle six kilometres of track and to rebuild Sunshine Station – unlocking capacity for 1,000 trains a day.”
Quote attributable to State Member for Footscray Katie Hall
“We are delivering a new and accessible Tottenham Station, giving locals safer connections across the west.”