Melbourne Airport rail project work will move into its next construction phase within weeks, advancing a long-delayed connection through Melbourne’s west. The A$12 billion joint government commitment equals about $8.37 billion.
The second stage will establish a 7.4-kilometre railway between Albion and the edge of Melbourne Airport. It will also deliver a new Keilor East station for the growing north-western suburbs.
However, the announcement separates early works from the main construction program. Site investigations, procurement and development activities will begin within weeks. Major construction will then start in 2028.
Melbourne Airport Rail Project construction advances
The Melbourne Airport Rail Project will run alongside the existing Albion-Jacana freight corridor. The route will connect with the Metro Tunnel through Melbourne’s broader metropolitan rail network.
The works include a major rail bridge across the Maribyrnong River. The bridge will stretch 500 metres and stand about 50 metres high.
An elevated rail flyover will also transform the Albion approach. The flyover will extend about 1.1 kilometres and rise 17 metres above ground.
Airport trains will cross Ballarat Road before joining new tracks beside the freight corridor. The design also includes a pedestrian and cycling connection near Albion.
Meanwhile, high-capacity signalling will support frequent services along the new railway. The system will also integrate with the wider airport rail network.
The government expects Stage 2 construction to finish in 2031. The Keilor East station will form a major part of that delivery milestone.
The Melbourne Airport Rail Project has already faced major cost and priority debates as Victoria refined its delivery plans. Earlier developments on the project, including its rising cost and renewed government priority, are covered in the Melbourne Airport Rail Project gains priority as cost soars past $13 billion.
Melbourne Airport Rail Project brings Keilor East station
The new Keilor East station will connect more than 150,000 nearby residents with Melbourne’s rail network. It will provide links toward the airport, employment centres and the central business district.
The station will include platforms, lifts, stairs, a pedestrian overpass and a bus interchange. Plans also provide commuter parking and bicycle facilities.
Government planning indicates that services could operate every 10 minutes. It also estimates about 27 minutes between Keilor East and Melbourne’s CBD.
The completed network could also connect Keilor East with Melbourne Airport in about six minutes. However, those travel times depend on the full airport rail connection becoming operational.
Stage 2 will proceed alongside Stage 1, which remains under construction. Stage 1 covers six kilometres between West Footscray and Albion.
That A$4.1 billion package includes the Sunshine Superhub and major rail infrastructure upgrades. The works will prepare the network for airport services and future Melton Line electrification.
However, the final airport connection remains without a confirmed completion date. Stage 3 must connect Keilor East with the airport precinct.
The Melbourne Airport Rail Steering Committee continues assessing options for that final stage. Current plans include an above-ground station within the airport precinct.
Community engagement and early design work for Stage 2 will begin next year. The process will support further planning before major construction starts in 2028.
The project has faced repeated delays since its original 2029 target. The Victorian government later moved the broader completion target to 2033 before removing a final date.
The latest commitment therefore establishes a defined timeline for Stage 2. Yet the complete airport connection still requires a separate delivery timetable.
Melbourne’s airport rail expansion will also rely on the city’s growing underground network to connect passengers into the CBD. The Metro Tunnel project timeline provides further context on the major underground works supporting Melbourne’s wider rail transformation.
Project Fact Sheet
Project: Melbourne Airport Rail
Stage: Stage 2
Focus: Albion to Keilor East Rail Upgrade
Location: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
Overall government commitment: A$12 billion/$8.37 billion
Stage 2 rail length: 7.4 kilometres
Route: Albion to the edge of Melbourne Airport precinct
New station: Keilor East Station
New rail bridge: 500 metres across the Maribyrnong River
Bridge height: About 50 metres
Albion flyover: About 1.1 kilometres
Flyover height: About 17 metres
Signalling: High-capacity signalling
Corridor: Albion-Jacana freight corridor
Early works: Site investigations, procurement and development
Early works start: Within weeks
Community engagement: From 2027
Major construction: From 2028
Stage 2 completion: 2031
Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade
- Investment: A$4.1 billion
- Completion: 2030
Keilor East estimated daily users: About 5,200 passengers
Planned station facilities: Bus interchange, commuter parking, bicycle facilities and pedestrian access
Stage 3: Keilor East to Melbourne Airport
Stage 3 completion: No final date confirmed
Airport station: Planned above ground at the airport precinct
Project Team
Funding partners: Australian Government and Victorian Government
Project delivery: Victorian Infrastructure Delivery Authority
Airport operator: Australia Pacific Airports (Melbourne) Pty Ltd
Airport: Melbourne Airport
Network connection: Metro Tunnel
Station: Keilor East Station
Stage 1 interchange: Sunshine Superhub
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