Construction on the second phase of Melbourne Airport Rail will launch within weeks, extending a 7.4-kilometer route from Albion to the airport area and establishing a stop at Keilor East. This initiative forms part of a combined $12 billion investment by both state and federal authorities.
Victorian Premier Ben Carroll and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese revealed the plans, emphasizing how they will expand rail network capacity and establish a direct connection to Melbourne Airport. Albanese remarked, “We’re building Victoria’s future, unlocking capacity to run more trains, more often, and ensuring we have a train line to Melbourne Airport.”
Stage 2 Overview
Initial phases will involve site assessments, procurement activities, and preliminary development work, with public consultations and early design work scheduled for next year. Large-scale construction is planned to begin in 2028, with completion expected in 2031 when Keilor East station opens to passengers.
The new line will run parallel to the Jacana freight corridor and integrate with the Metro Tunnel, utilizing advanced signaling systems to support high-frequency services. Key features include a 500-meter bridge spanning the Maribyrnong River and 1.1 kilometers of raised track near Albion Station.
Anticipated Benefits
Keilor East station will feature parking facilities and a bus interchange, with projections indicating it will serve around 5,200 daily commuters. The entire line is expected to transport up to 6,600 passengers and airport staff hourly.
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Stage 2 will advance alongside the $4.1 billion Sunshine Superhub project, the first phase of which began construction in February 2024. Scheduled for completion in 2030, it will transform Sunshine Station into a six-platform interchange and resolve track congestion between West Footscray and Albion, accommodating 1,000 trains daily.
The announcement did not address the final airport connection, as the Melbourne Airport Rail Steering Committee continues evaluating Stage 3 options, which include an raised station within the airport precinct. No timeline or budget has been set for this third phase.
The project’s history includes repeated postponements, dating back to 1965 when the Bolte government proposed a rail link between Glenroy’s Broadmeadows line and the airport before Tullamarine even opened. A 1980s high-speed rail proposal connecting Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney also included an airport stop but was ultimately abandoned.
In April 2023, then-Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan acknowledged the original 2029 completion target would not be met due to prolonged negotiations with Melbourne Airport. The state government temporarily halted contracting until a federal infrastructure review concluded later that year.
Federal funding was reaffirmed in November 2023, while Victoria confirmed a four-year delay in May 2024, shifting the full project’s deadline to 2033. Melbourne Airport later agreed in July 2024 to an raised station instead of a subterranean option.