The long-anticipated Melbourne Airport Rail Link has been approved in a joint venture between both the Victorian state government and the federal government.
The project is estimated to cost between $8-$13 billion and will link the city to Tullamarine airport. It aims to reduce city congestion and streamline airport traffic. Currently, there is only limited public transport available to the airport.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that the federal government has committed $5 billion to assist in funding the project and has signed a Heads of Agreement document with Victorian Premier, Daniel Andrews.
The rail link will use the existing Sunshine rail corridor as this has been identified as being a lower cost option to other proposed routes. Sunshine was also chosen as the most convenient location to link into existing services to regional Victoria and the new Metro Tunnel, which is currently being constructed.
The project will now proceed with further discussions between all stakeholders. Detailed planning and investigations, including geotechnical and commercial advice, are also underway.
A reference group will be set up to advise local community groups and businesses on the progress of the project and may make use of flyer or brochure printing for letterbox drops.
Construction on the project is due to begin at the end of 2022 with the project to take around nine years to complete.
