The landmark Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) has officially moved into the delivery phase, with the Federal and Victorian governments breaking ground on the project’s first critical stage between West Footscray and Albion.
Positioned as the centrepiece of the project, Sunshine Station is set for a massive technical and structural overhaul. The $4.1 billion joint investment aims to “untangle” one of the network’s most complex rail junctions, transforming Sunshine into a strategic transport superhub that integrates regional, metropolitan, and airport services.
The project involves significant civil and rail engineering works designed to remove existing bottlenecks and future-proof the corridor for the Metro Tunnel and the eventual electrification of the Melton Line. Key technical components include:
- Track and alignment: Construction of six kilometres of new track and the realignment of existing passenger and freight lines.
- Structural works: Two new rail bridges and the expansion of the Sunshine Station concourse.
- Capacity upgrades: The addition of two new regional platforms at Sunshine to facilitate seamless transfers between regional Victoria and the airport.
- Signalling: Comprehensive signalling upgrades to support increased service frequency.
Beyond the rail corridor, the Victorian Government is committing $143 million toward precinct-wide improvements with a focus on multi-modal connectivity and urban renewal.
The upgrades at Sunshine are designed to serve as a nexus for the state’s rail network. By consolidating the Sunbury Line, regional services (Bendigo, Ballarat, and Geelong), and future airport trains into one central location, the project significantly reduces travel times and enhances network resilience.
Gabrielle Williams, Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, said: “Rebuilding Sunshine Station is the first stage of delivering Melbourne Airport Rail and it will help pave the way for more services across Melbourne’s west.”
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King a rail link to Melbourne Airport has been talked about for as long as she can remember.
“For people in Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and my hometown of Ballarat these upgrades to Sunshine will change the way we move around the state.”
Early designs for the Sunshine interchange have been released, with construction on the new Tottenham Station scheduled to begin in 2027.
Community consultation on the open spaces and precinct designs is now active via the Engage Victoria portal.
