- Published:
- Wednesday 25 February 2026 at 10:30 am
Work to build the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is underway.
The Albanese and Allan Labor Governments are getting on with the job of creating a direct, reliable and faster public transport link to the airport starting between West Footscray and Albion.
This is the first critical step in delivering a rail link to Melbourne Airport and transforming Sunshine into a major transport superhub.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King and Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams today released early designs for the new Sunshine interchange and announced construction has begun.
The $4.1 billion joint investment will untangle the complex rail junction at Sunshine.
It will create space for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL) and future electrified Melton services – both running through the Metro Tunnel.
Six kilometres of new track, two rail bridges and realigned passenger and freight lines will remove bottlenecks and allow more trains, more often.
Sunshine Station will be expanded with a longer concourse and two new regional platforms.
It will connect regional services, the Metro Tunnel and future airport trains in one central location.
Upgraded lighting and CCTV will be built into the station improvements, making journeys safer as well as faster.
The Allan Government is also investing $143 million to improve the precinct around the station.
That means better walking and cycling links, a modern bus interchange and new open spaces for the community.
The Allan Labor Government today also announced a brand new, fully accessible Tottenham Station will also be built on the realigned Sunbury Line, improving local connections.
The new station will include upgraded lighting and a pedestrian underpass, improving local connections and safety – with early designs to be released in the coming months and construction to begin next year.
The Sunbury Line will be realigned to make way for airport rail and a future electrified Melton line, supported by signalling upgrades to enable more services.
A new Albion Station, which will be fully funded by the Allan Government, will deliver modern and accessible facilities for passengers.
Locals can help shape the designs and new open spaces around Sunshine Station by visiting engage.vic.gov.au/airportrail-stage1.
Quote attributable to 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 I can remember, but it has taken two Labor Governments working together to get this started for the people of Victoria.
“For people in Bendigo, Warrnambool, Geelong and my hometown of Ballarat these upgrades to Sunshine will change the way we move around the state.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Gabrielle Williams:
“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.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Minister for Development Victoria and Precincts Harriet Shing:
“Sunshine is on the cusp of a remarkable transformation – and with new pedestrian and cycling links, an improved bus interchange, new station forecourts with open space and local improvements – we’re creating safer places and connections for local families.”
Quote attributable to Federal Member for Fraser Daniel Mulino:
“This investment will transform Sunshine Station into a genuine local hub – improving daily journeys, opening up new walking and cycling connections and creating a precinct that better serves Sunshine residents, workers and businesses for decades to come.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Member for Laverton Sarah Connolly:
“The Sunshine Station upgrades will make it easier for people to access a revitalised Sunshine Station and move around the suburb’s growing business district, changing the way locals live, work and travel.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Member for Footscray Katie Hall:
“The community will be thrilled the project now includes a brand-new Tottenham Station, which will improve access to public transport and make it easier for locals to get across the busy rail corridor.”
Quote attributable to Victorian Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman:
"The brand-new Albion Station upgrade is another win for our community – delivering modern, fully accessible facilities and better transport connections that will make everyday travel easier for locals."