Early designs have been released for the Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade, which will transform train travel in the state’s west, eliminating bottlenecks to free up capacity for more services.
The $4.1 billion project will turn Sunshine Station into a superhub, giving regional lines direct access to the future airport line and enabling future electrification to Melton.
The early designs show a revitalised Sunshine Station, with an extended concourse and 2 new platforms and tracks dedicated to regional trains.
Stage one of the Sunshine Station Masterplan will be delivered in conjunction with the project and includes a pedestrian and cycling path over the rail line, upgraded bus interchange, and a new station forecourt with open spaces at each entrance.
The project will also now include building a new Tottenham Station on the realigned Sunbury Line corridor, delivering a modern and accessible station for passengers.
This will significantly reduce disruptions during construction by ensuring the services return to the new Tottenham Station sooner than if the existing station was kept in place.
The new Tottenham Station will feature a new pedestrian underpass to provide better connections from both sides of the rail line, linking to the northern car park. Designs for the new station will be released later this year, with construction set to start in 2027.
Untangling the complex rail junction between West Footscray and Albion by building 6 kilometres of new raised tracks, including 2 rail bridges to separate 6 regional and metro rail lines will eliminate bottlenecks, and support more than 1000 train services per day through Sunshine Station in the future.
The Sunbury Line between Sunshine and West Footscray will be realigned to make space for train lines to the airport and a future electrified rail line to Melton and deliver extensive signalling upgrades to allow more services.
It will also deliver a new Albion Station featuring modern and accessible facilities for passengers.
Work on Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 has started with relocating underground utilities and preparing underground service lines along the rail corridor.
A contract for the enabling works package has been awarded to McConnell Dowell, ARUP, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and VIDA Rail.
Locals can have their say to help shape the designs, including new features and the use of the new open spaces and walking and cycling connections around the Sunshine Station precinct, by visiting Engage Victoria.
