Trains will run from Melbourne Airport through to Sunshine Station, then into the Metro Tunnel and the heart of the CBD, before continuing on to the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

The first stage in building Melbourne Airport Rail is preparing sites for major construction.

These preparatory, or early, works involve protecting and relocating critical utility services along the Melbourne Airport Rail route including:

• electricity
• water
• gas
• sewer
• telecommunications.

Utilities to be relocated include underground and overhead assets such as high and low voltage power lines.

Works to protect and relocate utility services are planned to start in 2022, subject to planning and environmental approvals. Performing these works first will allow major construction on Melbourne Airport Rail to get underway safely with less disruptions to local residents and businesses.

Key facts

• Around 250 utilities need to be protected, modified or relocated
• Utility relocation and protection works are planned in consultation with utility service providers and local government
• Rail Projects Victoria is responsible for the planning and the delivery of Melbourne Airport Rail on behalf of the Victorian Government
• Laing O’Rourke has been appointed as the preferred Managing Contractor to deliver the Early Works package on behalf of Rail Projects Victoria.

Managing impacts

Construction of Melbourne Airport Rail will take place over several years and in stages along the length of the rail corridor between Sunshine Station and the new premium station at Melbourne Airport.

Before early works start, we will engage with local businesses and residents on activities planned in their area, what to expect and how any disruptions will be managed. We will consult with businesses ahead of time and coordinate our early works to minimise disruption where possible. We will have a range of measures available to support impacted businesses during this period.

During early works, there may be some construction impacts, such as:

• changes to traffic conditions for drivers (including temporary speed reductions and lane closures), cyclists and pedestrians
• noise, vibration and dust from construction activities, machinery and vehicles
• removal of vegetation and trees, where required
• short-term impacts to driveway access and on-street car parking.

We will take steps to minimise impacts on residential and business areas and the surrounding environment as much as possible.

Construction will be undertaken during standard construction hours, which are 7am to 6pm weekdays and 7am to 1pm Saturdays. Residents and businesses will be advised in advance in instances where works may need to be undertaken outside of standard construction hours, including at night.

Site compounds

To support early works, short term site compounds will be set up close to the rail corridor to provide essential amenities for construction staff and store materials and equipment.

Areas used for site compounds will be reinstated at the completion of early works, or modified in the future to support the construction of Melbourne Airport Rail.

More information about site compound locations will be provided to nearby properties.

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