Progress Made in Advancing Melbourne's Airport Rail Link Deal
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A preliminary design has been unveiled for the Melbourne Airport Rail station situated at Melbourne Airport in Tullamarine, forming a crucial component of the Suburban Rail Loop initiative.
Melbourne edges closer to realising a vital railway connection to Tullamarine Airport, propelled by a recent deal between the Federal and Victorian Governments and Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd (APA).
This memorandum of understanding mandates APA's collaboration with both federal and state entities to deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail Link (MARL), an integral part of the broader Suburban Rail Loop (SRL) scheme. Additionally, it will institute a steering committee comprising senior public servants and APA officials.
The MOU follows the Victorian Government's initiation of redevelopment efforts at Sunshine Station, accompanied by a call for public feedback on the draft structure blueprints for the six SRL East stations. Delays in the MARL project occurred when mediation was required to determine the optimal placement of the railway station—above ground or below ground at Tullamarine.
A resolution was eventually reached last year, endorsing an above-ground station, with the Federal and Victorian Governments endorsing the mediator's suggestions to commence work on Sunshine Station.
Sunshine Station will be a pivotal interchange point on the route to the airport, facilitating seamless connections. The project will encompass the installation of 6km of track between West Footscray and Albion, catering to freight services, metro trains, and accommodating 70% of the V/Line network. Moreover, it will pave the way for future rail enhancements in Melbourne's western regions.
In a bolstering move, the Federal Government recently allocated an additional $2 billion towards the airport railway line project. Concurrently, Melbourne Airport is in the midst of designing an expansion for its international terminal as the number of passengers keeps increasing.
Source: The Urban Developer
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