The second stage of the highly anticipated Melbourne Airport rail link project has been revealed, with a new train station opening in Keilor East. This second stage comes as part of a $12 billion joint commitment from the federal and state governments. The line will feature 7.4 kilometres of new track, connecting Albion to Keilor East. Construction will begin in 2028, with the station scheduled to open in 2031. However, there are no details yet on when the final stage, connecting Keilor East to the airport, will be complete.
Keilor East station – Melbourne Airport Rail stage two
The new station will connect to the Sunshine Station Superhub via Albion, and continue on towards the city via the Metro Tunnel. Trips from Keilor East to Melbourne CBD should take around 27 minutes. The link will feature the same high-capacity signalling to enable frequent services, with ‘turn-up-and-go’ trains every ten minutes. Built alongside the Jacana freight corridor, there will also be 1.1 kilometres of elevated rail, with a 500 metre rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River.
“We’re building Victoria’s future, unlocking capacity to run more trains, more often, and ensuring we have a train line to Melbourne Airport,” said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
An estimated 5,200 commuters a day are expected to use the station from Keilor East to the city. Meanwhile, 6,600 passengers and airport workers are expected to use the overall airport rail line every hour. The trip from Keilor East to the airport is expected to take around six minutes. However, exact details on when this final stage will be complete has not be revealed, with the Melbourne Airport Rail Steering Committee continuing to work through final options.
Site investigations, procurement and development works for the second stage will begin in the coming weeks, with early designs and community consultation set to take place next year. The new station will feature bus connections, as well as car parking and bicycle parking.
Works on the second stage will be delivered alongside the $4.1 billion Sunshine upgrades, which will include new platforms, as well as new stations in Tottenham and Albion. It will also untangle six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion, creating capacity for 1,000 trains a day. The first stage is expected to be complete in 2030.
You can keep an eye out for updates on the Melbourne Airport Rail project here.
