Preparatory work on Stage 2 of Melbourne Airport Rail is due to begin in the coming weeks, under a joint A$12bn ($8bn) commitment by the Australian and Victorian governments. 

The new stage will see a 7.4km rail line constructed from Albion towards the airport precinct, including the delivery of a new Keilor East station. 

The route will be built alongside the Jacana freight corridor, including 1.1km of elevated track and a crossing of the Maribyrnong River. 

Site investigations, procurement activity and development work will begin first, with early designs and community engagement scheduled for next year.  

Major construction is planned to start in 2028, with the Keilor East section expected to be completed in 2031. 

According to the Victorian Government, the new line will connect with the Metro Tunnel and use its high-capacity signalling system. 

The Melbourne Airport Rail Steering Committee is still considering options for Stage 3, which is intended to include an above-ground station in the airport precinct.  

A timetable for that final section is yet to be announced. 

The government estimates that Keilor East station will connect about 5,200 passengers daily to central Melbourne. A further 6,600 passengers as well as airport workers are expected to use the new line every hour. 

Stage 2 is being developed alongside the A$4.1bn Sunshine Superhub, the first stage of the airport rail programme.  

That project will expand Sunshine Station to six platforms and separate six kilometres of track between West Footscray and Albion. 

The Sunshine project is scheduled for completion in 2030.  

The government said it is intended to increase capacity on the Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo lines and support future electrification of the Melton line. 

Victorian Premier and state member for Niddrie, Ben Carroll said: “Melbourne needs a direct rail link to the airport, that’s why we’re getting on and delivering it. A new Keilor East Station will give locals direct access to the city via the Metro Tunnel.”