Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade is progressing following the shortlisting of 2 multi-national construction firms for the final package of works.
The project will untangle the complex rail junction between West Footscray and Albion and turn Sunshine Station into a superhub to allow more than 1000 trains in this section every day, preparing the corridor for services to the airport and future electrification to Melton.
The project has been split into 5 works packages, with 4 to be delivered by existing Level Crossing Removal Project program alliances.
The fifth package has entered the final stage of the competitive tender process, with 2 proponents now shortlisted.
The successful proponent will deliver work to widen the rail corridor for more train tracks, 2 new regional platforms and extended concourse at Sunshine Station, and associated rail network upgrades.
The package will also include work on the Sunshine Station Masterplan around the station precinct, including a new pedestrian and cycling path across the rail line, an upgraded bus interchange, new forecourts and landscaping.
Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 drew strong interest from the construction market, with 4 bids submitted as part of the Expression of Interest process.
The 2 shortlisted companies will go through a competitive tender process ahead of the contract award next year.
- CPB Contractors Pty Ltd, SMEC Australia – CPB Contractors was previously involved in Brisbane’s Cross River Rail, Sydney Metro, Vancouver’ Broadway Millenium Subway and the Caulfield to Dandenong Level Crossing Removal Project.
- FCC Construction, Martinus Rail, Arcadis, BG&E – FCC Construction has worked on major worldwide infrastructure projects including new metro railway lines in Peru and Spain as well as local projects including the Barwon Heads Road Duplication, while Martinus Rail has delivered work on projects including Inland Rail and the Sydney Metro Southwest.
It follows the contract award earlier this year to McConnell Dowell, ARUP, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line and VIDA Rail, to relocate underground utilities, including a major jet fuel pipeline running between Albion and Sunshine. This will make space for the new rail infrastructure to be built as part of the project.
Crews are carrying out this work from the Albion Station car park, which has been temporarily closed to allow large steel pipes to be laid out in 250m lengths, ahead of pipeline tunnel boring next month.
Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade will be completed in 2030.