Before major construction can begin, utility relocations, including moving electrical towers and underground services such as water and gas, will take place. Other activities are needed to support construction, including setting up site compounds and laydown areas, which will require some changes to the local area. New infrastructure including substations and noise walls will also be built to support trains running on the Melbourne Airport Rail line.

Construction will begin in 2022 with a target opening date of 2029, subject to approvals.

This fact sheet outlines key activities which are proposed to take place in Albion, Sunshine and Sunshine North. These activities and impacts may change pending ongoing design development including by appointed contractors, and stakeholder and community engagement.

Site compounds and laydown areas

Site compounds provide a base for workers, equipment and machinery during construction.

There are several proposed site compound locations in Albion, Sunshine and Sunshine North which will allow for safe and efficient access to the rail corridor and provide adequate space to laydown equipment required to build Melbourne Airport Rail.

Traffic and detours

During construction you may notice changes to some of the roads you are familiar with. Detours and early warning signals will be put in place leading up to and around work zones. There will also be trucks travelling to and from construction sites, as well as to and from site compounds.

There are a number of proposed haulage routes in Albion, Sunshine and Sunshine North, including Anderson Road, Ballarat Road, Furlong Road, Gilmour Road, McIntyre Road, St Albans Road, and the Western Ring Road (M80). Construction traffic will be required to use major arterial roads and avoid using local roads as much as possible.

Noise walls

New, high-quality permanent noise walls are proposed in some areas of Albion, Sunshine and Sunshine North along the rail corridor.

We will engage with local residents and share further information about the exact location, height, and look and feel of the proposed noise walls as the project designs progress.

Electrical substations

We need to install new electrical substations between Sunshine North and Melbourne Airport to power train services along the new line.

It is proposed that a substation will be required in Sunshine North near Munro Avenue.

We will engage with locals and neighbouring properties as planning and design for the substations progress and before construction begins on substations in the local areas.

*Subject to relevant Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals.