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Project

Melbourne Airport Rail

PROJECT STATUS
Prospective
Melbourne Airport Rail

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link is a planned 20-kilometre programme of new and upgraded rail works linking West Footscray to Melbourne Airport (Tullamarine). The scope of the project has been divided across three stages:

  • Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion
  • Stage 2: Albion to Kelior East
  • Stage 3: Kelior East to Melbourne Airport

Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Upgrade will see a program of works across 6 Kilometres of Rail across the Sunbury Line in the North-West of Melbourne.

The program of works has been divided across multiple packages, including:

  • Sunshine Superhub - New Program Alliance
  • Enabling Works
  • New Albion Station
  • New Tottenham Station

Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2: Albion to Keilor East Upgrade will see a program of works across 7 Kilometres of Rail across the Sunbury Line in the North-West of Melbourne.

The program of works is yet to be confirmed, but is expected to include:

  • a 7.4-kilometre rail line from Albion to Keilor East,
  • a rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River,
  • a rail flyover at Albion, and
  • a new station at Keilor East

Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 3: Keilor East to Melbourne Airport is yet to be announced, but is expected to include construction of a new rail link between Keilor East Station and Melbourne Airport, and delivery of an above-ground airport station.

Procurement

Procuring Agency: VIDA Rail

PROJECT HISTORY

Sep 2022 The Victorian Government released the Business Case for Melbourne Airport Rail. The project is expected to be delivered across multiple packages, including Airport Works, Viaduct Works between Keilor Park and Tullamarine, Corridor Works between Keilor Park and Sunshine North, and Works around Sunshine and Albion Stations. The Business Case identifies a Net Present Value (NPV) of $10.8 billion excluding SRL North, and a Benefit-Cost Ratio (BCR) of 1.8-2.1.
Mar 2025 The Federal Government, Victorian Government and Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne Airport), signed a Memorandum of Understanding to progress the delivery of Melbourne Airport Rail and establish a Steering Committee to progress the project.
Sep 2026 The Victorian and Commonwealth Governments announced Stage 2 of the project, expected to include a 7.4-kilometre rail line from Albion to Keilor East, a rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River, a rail flyover at Albion, and a new station at Keilor East.
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Traditional Procurement | Unconfirmed |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
Melbourne Airport Rail
Government resources
Melbourne Airport Rail Business Case
Media releases
2025/05/26 - Memorandum of Understanding (Melbourne Airport)
2025/03/20 - Memorandum of Understanding (Victorian Government)
2026/09/30 - Stage 2 Announcement
Major Contract

Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - New Albion Station

PROJECT STATUS
Prospective
Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - New Albion Station

The New Albion Station will be delivered as part of Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1, and is expected to include delivery of a new dual-platform station, accessible concourse, and realigned passenger and freight lines.

Key Dates

2030 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: VIDA Rail

PROJECT HISTORY

May 2026 Early designs for the station were released for community feedback, closing 14 June.
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
New Albion Station
Government resources
Engage Victoria Portal
Media releases
2026/05/17 - Early Designs Released
Major Contract

Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - Sunshine Superhub - New Program Alliance

PROJECT STATUS
Under Procurement
Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - Sunshine Superhub - New Program Alliance

The Sunshine Superhub project, also refered to as Melboure Airport Rail Stage One, will see upgrades to six-kilometres of track and station upgrades around Sunshine Station between West Footscray and Albion. 

The project will be delivered across five packages:

  • Enabling Works 
  • Freight Works 
  • Metropolitan Line Works 
  • Regional Line Works, and 
  • Albion Station.

The Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority - Rail (VIDA Rail), has announced an expansion of the Level Crossing Removal Project (LXRP) program alliance framework, with the new Alliance to deliver the Regional Line Works package. The scope of the Regional Line Works package includes:

  • widening the reail corridor between West Footscray and Albion, 
  • delivery of two new regional platforms and extended concourse at Sunshine Station,
  • delivery of associated rail network upgrades,
  • construction of new active transport connections across the rail line, and broader precinct work around Sunshine Station.

The remaining packages will be delivered by existing LXRP program alliances.

Key Dates

Mar 2025 Project Announcement
Jul 2025 Pre-Qualifications Open
Oct 2026 Pre-Qualifications Close
Dec 2030 Expected Construction Completion

Funding contributions

Federal Government
Victorian Government

Procurement

Procuring Agency: VIDA Rail
Shortlist: A CPB Contracts and SMEC Australia Alliance; and a FCC Construction, Martinus Rail, Arcadis, and BG&E Alliance
Procurement note:

The project is being delivered using a Program Alliance model. Initial procurement is for the delivery of the Regional Works package. Subject to performance on this package, further packages are expected to be awarded to the Alliance.

Interested Parties cannot be in an existing program alliance agreement with LXRP except where an existing alliance agreement with LXRP has no future work allocated to it, and Interested Parties cannot comprise more than one “Major” construction firm.

 
Related contracts:
Enabling Works
Successful Tenderer - Western Program Alliance - comprising McConnell Dowell, Arup, Mott MacDonald, Metro Trains Melbourne (a Joint Venture of John Holland, MTR and UGL), V/Line and Vida Rail.

PROJECT HISTORY

Mar 2025 The Federal Government announced $2 billion in funding for the project in its 2025-26 Budget.
May 2025 The Victorian Government announced $2.1 billion in funding for the project in its 2025-26 Budget.
Jul 2025 Pre-Qualification for the project opened.
Feb 2026 The Western Program Alliance was awarded the contract to deliver the enabling works package for the project. Additionally, the Victorian Government released early designs for the project.
Apr 2026 VIDA Rail announced two consortia had been shortlisted to deliver the regional line works package. The two shortlisted consortia include an alliance comprising CPB Contractors and SMEC Australia, and an alliance comprising FCC Construction, Martinus Rail, Arcadis, and BG&E.
Apr 2026 Early works commenced on the project.
Estimated Total Cost
(2025)
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Alliance |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
Melbourne Airport Rail
Media releases
2025/05/23 - Procurement Update
2026/02/25 - Enabling Works Contract Award
2026/04/13 - Shortlist Released (Victoria's Big Build)
2026/04/13 - Early Works Commencement
Tender notices
Pre-Qualification
Major Contract

Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 2

PROJECT STATUS
Prospective
Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 2

Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2: Albion to Kelior East Upgrade will see a program of works across 7 Kilometres of Rail across the Sunbury Line in the North-West of Melbourne.

The program of works is yet to be confirmed, but is expected to include:

  • a 7.4-kilometre rail line from Albion to Keilor East,
  • a rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River,
  • a rail flyover at Albion, and
  • a new station at Keilor East

 

Key Dates

Sep 2026 Project Announcement

Procurement

Procuring Agency: VIDA Rail

PROJECT HISTORY

Sep 2026 The Victorian Government announced the progression of Stage 2 of Melbourne Airport Rail. Site investigations, procurement and development works are expected to commence by the end of 2026, with major construction expected to commence by 2028 and be completed by 2031.
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 2
Media releases
2026/09/30 - Project Announcement
Major Contract

Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - New Tottenham Station

PROJECT STATUS
Prospective
Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1 - New Tottenham Station

The New Tottenham Station will be delivered as part of Melbourne Airport Rail - Stage 1, and is expected to include delivery of a new dual-platform station, underpass, and pick-up-drop-off areas.

Key Dates

2030 Expected Construction Completion

Procurement

Procuring Agency: VIDA Rail

PROJECT HISTORY

May 2026 Early designs for the station were released for community feedback, closing 14 June.
Sector
Rail
Procurement approach
Unconfirmed |
Location
Victoria |
Resources
Project website
New Tottenham Station
Government resources
Engage Victoria Portal
Media releases
2026/05/17 - Early Designs Released
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