Work has begun on the long awaited Melbourne Airport Rail Link, with early construction now under way between West Footscray and Albion as part of a major overhaul of the Sunshine rail corridor.
The Albanese and Allan Labor governments have released early designs for a rebuilt Sunshine interchange and confirmed a $4.1 billion joint investment to reconfigure one of Victoria’s most complex rail junctions. The initial works are focused on untangling existing passenger and freight lines to make room for future airport services and electrified Melton trains, both of which are planned to run through the Metro Tunnel.
The project includes six kilometres of new track, two new rail bridges and the realignment of several lines. Officials say these changes are intended to remove long standing bottlenecks and allow more frequent services across the network. Sunshine Station will be expanded with a longer concourse and two additional regional platforms, creating a central interchange linking regional trains, the Metro Tunnel and future airport services.
Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said a rail link to Melbourne Airport had been discussed for decades and described the start of works as a turning point. She pointed to benefits for regional travellers from centres such as Ballarat, Bendigo, Geelong and Warrnambool, who are expected to gain easier access to the airport once the interchange upgrades are complete.
Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Gabrielle Williams said rebuilding Sunshine Station was the first stage of delivering airport rail and would support more services across Melbourne’s west. The broader vision positions Sunshine as a major transport hub serving suburban, regional and airport passengers.
Alongside the rail works, the Victorian Government is investing $143 million in improvements to the surrounding precinct. Plans include upgraded walking and cycling connections, a new bus interchange and additional public open space. Lighting and CCTV will be incorporated into the station redesign, with ministers stating that safety and accessibility are central to the upgrade.
The project also includes a new fully accessible Tottenham Station on the realigned Sunbury Line, with construction due to begin next year. Early designs are expected in the coming months. A new Albion Station, funded by the Victorian Government, will also be delivered with modern facilities and improved access.
While the start of construction marks visible progress, the airport rail project has faced delays and political debate over funding and staging in recent years. The current focus on corridor works reflects a staged approach, beginning with enabling infrastructure before airport specific tracks are laid.
Community consultation is under way, with residents invited to provide feedback on station designs and proposed open spaces around Sunshine. For many in Melbourne’s west, the changes promise better local connections in the short term, even as the full airport link remains several years from completion.
If delivered as planned, the upgraded Sunshine corridor would reshape how passengers move between regional Victoria, suburban Melbourne and the airport. For now, attention will be on keeping construction on schedule and managing disruption across one of the state’s busiest rail sections.
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