We are delivering stage 1 of Melbourne Airport Rail, with the Australian and Victorian governments investing more than $4 billion to deliver 6km of major rail upgrades from West Footscray to Albion. The works will include transforming Sunshine into a transport superhub and building new modern and accessible stations at Tottenham and Albion.

Site investigations and underground power relocation preparatory works around the Tottenham Station and West Footscray Station precincts will be underway in late August.

Also, from 1 September until early 2027, Sunshine Road will close to westbound traffic on weeknights, between Quarry Road and Ashley Street, while we relocate the power underground to clear the way for future Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 works.

What we're doing

• Non-destructive digging to locate underground service.

Works will start on Sunshine Road near Quarry Road and move east towards Ashley Street in the coming months. We will:

• Drill holes to relocate overhead electricity services underground.
• Weld and install new pipes.
• Re-asphalt the road following the completion of works.

What to expect

One eastbound lane will be closed on Sunshine Road between McArthur Street and Currajong Street each night from 10pm to 6am, Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August (3 nights). The other eastbound lane will remain open to traffic throughout works.

Sunshine Road will be fully closed in the westbound direction between Ashley Street and Quarry Road each weeknight from Tuesday 1 September until early 2027. Dates are weather dependent and subject to change.

All westbound vehicles will need to detour via Dempster Street, and Paramount, Sommerville and Market roads. Sunshine Road westbound will reopen each morning at 7am.

Vehicle and pedestrian access to businesses and private properties will be maintained, with traffic management in place to guide you through the area.

You may also notice:

• Work crews, machinery and construction vehicles (including trucks) in the area.
• Moderate levels of construction noise at times, as well as dust and vibration which will be minimised with water carts and street sweepers.
• Lighting in place to safely facilitate overnight works.
• Increase in traffic on the overnight detour route.

We will be in touch with impacted businesses and residents ahead of time.

When we'll work

Preparatory works will take place on Sunshine Road between 9.30am and 3pm on weekdays, from Wednesday 19 August to Friday 28 August.

Site investigations, including non-destructive digging on Sunshine Road between McArthur Street and Currajong Street, will take place each night from 10pm to 6am, Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August.

From Tuesday 1 September until early 2027 we will work the following hours:

• 7pm to 7am, Monday to Friday.
• No works or road disruptions on Saturday and Sunday nights, public holidays or during the December / January holiday period.

Changes to the way you travel

For your safety, please follow signage and traffic management in place.

Road

• One westbound lane will be closed on Sunshine Road between Quarry Road and Ashley Street from 9.30m to 3pm each weekday, Wednesday 19 August to Friday 28 August. Traffic will be maintained in both directions with speed reductions in place.
• One eastbound lane closed between McArthur Street and Currajong Street from 10pm to 6am each night, Saturday 29 August to Monday 31 August (3 nights). The other east bound lane remaining open to traffic throughout works.
• Sunshine Road will be closed between Quarry Road and Ashley Street (westbound) from 7pm to 7am each weeknight, Tuesday 1 September until early 2027. On-street parking will also be unavailable during this time. Please detour via Dempster Street and Paramount, Sommerville and Market roads. Sunshine Road will remain open eastbound with speed reductions in place.
• One eastbound lane on Sunshine Road will be closed between Quarry Road and Ashley Street from 7pm to 5am each weeknight, Monday 7 September until late October. One lane will remain open with speed reductions in place.
• Southbound lane on Quarry Road near the intersection with Sunshine Road will be closed from 7pm to 7am each weeknight, Tuesday 1 September to mid-October. Traffic will be maintained in both directions with delays expected. On-street parking will also be unavailable during this time.

There will be additional, localised disruptions in the coming months associated with these works. We will keep impacted residents and businesses informed as works progress.

Sunshine Road traffic closure and detour maps

Subscribe to Melbourne Airport Rail SMS updates:

SMS project updates will keep you up-to-date on our works and disruptions in Sunshine, Albion and at Tottenham Station. 

To receive SMS updates on ALL project works, text MELBOURNE AIRPORT RAIL to 0447 438 529.

If you only want SMS updates on activities near you, please text one of the following keywords to 0447 438 529:

• Works in Sunshine, including at the station, trader precinct and on Sunshine Road – text SUNSHINE 
• Works in Albion, including at the station – text ALBION
• Works at and around Tottenham Station – text TOTTENHAM 

More information

• Sign up for e-mail updates
• Call us on 1800 105 105 or email airportrail@bigbuild.vic.gov.au
• For languages other than English, please call 9209 0147
• Visit our Melbourne Airport Rail Facebook page

Return to the Melbourne Airport Rail construction pages.