An Expressions of Interest process is now underway for contractors to deliver Melbourne Airport Rail Link works around Sunshine and Albion.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, and Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure, the Hon Jacinta Allan MP, today announced the first works package for the Melbourne Airport Rail Link is now out to market and contractors were being invited to submit their initial proposals.

This approach has been informed by feedback from industry and aims to share the workload, providing more opportunities to different contractors and suppliers.

Minister Fletcher said these works are the first of several work packages to go out to market through a robust, multi-staged procurement process.

“Melbourne airport is one of the key gateways to Australia and provides crucial links to interstate and regional destinations, helping to drive business and trade by connecting Victorians to the rest of Australia and the world,” he said.

“That is why the Morrison Government has committed $5 billion to deliver this crucial transport infrastructure project, which will better connect commuters to the airport and support Melbourne’s long-term commuter needs as its population continues to grow.

“More than 100 organisations in Australia and across the world have registered their interest to be a part of building this once-in-a-generation project, which will support up to 8,000 jobs during its delivery.”

The first step in transforming Sunshine Station will include a new accessible pedestrian concourse that will enable transfers at either end of the platforms and double the number of lifts available, with extra ticketing gates and weather-protected platform extensions also included.

Ms Allan said more information on key elements of the project will soon be shared publicly, with feedback to be sought as part of the next phase of engagement.

“We want to get construction started on this much-needed project as soon as possible and connect Melbourne Airport to Victoria’s regional and metropolitan rail network,” Minister Allan said.

“Melbourne Airport Rail Link will play a critical role in Victoria’s plan to transform Sunshine into a transport superhub. Together with the Metro Tunnel, Geelong Fast Rail and Western Rail Plan, we will be delivering more trains more often and provide connections to jobs, health and education services.”

A trip to the heart of the CBD from Sunshine through the Metro Tunnel will take around 16 minutes, while a journey in the other direction to Melbourne Airport will take around 11 minutes.

Melbourne Airport Rail Link will also deliver safer connections for pedestrians and cyclists, including active transport upgrades to the shared-use paths near Albion Station.

Other aspects of the project are still in the planning and design development stage.

The Australian and Victorian governments have committed $5 billion each towards Melbourne Airport Rail Link, which will take passengers from Melbourne Airport into the heart of the city in around 30 minutes via the Metro Tunnel.

Construction is set to start in 2022 with a target opening of 2029, subject to all relevant approvals.

Melbourne’s west is benefiting from a $20 billion investment in road and rail projects as part of Victoria’s Big Build, with the Western Roads Upgrade now complete and works progressing on several level crossing removals, the Sunbury Line Upgrade and the West Gate Tunnel.