Victoria and Federal Governments Advance Stage 2 of Melbourne Airport Rail, Unveiling 7.4-Kilometre Alignment and New Station at Keilor East

Major Milestone for Victoria’s Flagship Airport Rail Artery

MELBOURNE, Victoria — The Victorian State Government and the Australian Federal Government have announced a breakthrough advancement in Victoria’s Big Build infrastructure agenda, formally greenlighting Stage 2 of the Melbourne Airport Rail (SRL Airport) project. Transport infrastructure authorities have unveiled detailed alignment designs and initiated commercial procurement and site geotechnical investigations for a 7.4-kilometer dedicated heavy-rail corridor extending from Albion to the airport boundary, locked in for major construction kick-off by 2028 and operational delivery targeted for 2031.

The announcement builds upon ongoing civil delivery at Stage 1's Sunshine Superhub, establishing a seamless rail route that will enable international flyers and regional commuters to travel from Melbourne’s CBD directly to Melbourne Airport terminals in under 30 minutes without encountering highway gridlock on the Tullamarine Freeway.

Landmark Elevated Viaduct and New Interchange at Keilor East

Central to the newly revealed Stage 2 scope is the delivery of a brand-new multi-modal elevated station at Keilor East. Serving more than 150,000 residents across Melbourne's booming north-western suburbs who currently lack direct heavy rail connectivity, the station will feature expansive park-and-ride facilities, integrated bus layovers, and modern passenger concourses with direct lift and escalator access to platforms.

The civil engineering blueprint includes a majestic 500-metre bridge structure soaring across the Maribyrnong River valley, alongside 1.1 kilometers of elevated rail viaduct. Engineered with cutting-edge composite materials and acoustic attenuation barriers, the viaduct minimizes environmental footprint across river parklands while maintaining high operating train speeds of up to 130 km/h.

High-Capacity Metro Trains and Sunshine Interchange Integration

Services along the airport line will utilize Victoria’s high-capacity, dedicated High Capacity Metro Trains (HCMT). These seven-car trainsets feature spacious luggage racks, real-time flight departure information screens, onboard accessibility zones, and free Wi-Fi connectivity tailored for global business travelers and leisure flyers.

At Sunshine, seamless cross-platform interchanges will connect airport passengers directly with regional V/Line trains to Geelong, Ballarat, and Bendigo, turning western Melbourne into a strategic regional transport gateway and distributing economic activity across the state.

Economic Powerhouse Driving Thousands of Victorian Jobs

State and federal leaders highlighted that the Melbourne Airport Rail corridor will support up to 8,000 direct and indirect jobs during peak construction, generating billions in economic value for local engineering, fabrication, and construction sectors. By providing a dependable, world-class mass transit link, the project secures Melbourne’s standing as a leading international aviation, tourism, and logistics capital.