Keilor East station in Melbourne planned for completion by 2031 — ABC News Australia

In Melbourne, Australia, the new Keilor East railway station, which is set to become part of the future connection to Melbourne Airport, is planned to be completed by 2031. The Australian federal government and the authorities of the state of Victoria said that early works for the new rail section would begin in the coming weeks, ABC News Australia reports.

Main works to begin in 2028

The project concerns a 7.4-kilometre rail line from the Albion area towards Melbourne Airport via Keilor East. The initial stage will include site investigations, procurement and project development work. Public consultations and the development of early design solutions are due to begin next year.

The main construction works under the second stage of Melbourne Airport Rail are planned to begin in 2028. Keilor East station is due to be completed three years later. At the same time, the construction schedule for the section between Keilor East and the airport itself has not yet been determined.

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Bridge over the Maribyrnong and Sunshine Superhub

According to the governments' statement, the new line will be connected directly to the Metro Tunnel. The project also includes a 500-metre railway bridge over the Maribyrnong River.

The line will be delivered together with the first stage of the project — the A$4.1 billion Sunshine Superhub transport hub with six platforms. Previously, the Victorian authorities gave different dates for the launch of the airport rail connection: 2029, and later 2033.

The project’s implementation was delayed by disputes over the station’s location and the format of the line — above ground or underground. In July 2024, the airport abandoned its position in favour of the more expensive underground option in order to advance the project.