By YASEMIN TALAT
A LONG awaited rail link to Melbourne airport has been promised by the Coalition Government.
On Sunday Premier Denis Napthine announced that in the upcoming State Budget, the Government would outline its commitment to build a new rail link from Southern Cross Station to Melbourne Airport.
Dr Napthine said the new service would run along dedicated tracks from Melbourne Airport to Albion where it will then join the existing rail network and run through to Southern Cross Station.
“This will be an electrified service that utilises the Albion East route which has previously been identified as the preferred option for an airport rail link,” he said.
“This service will depart from Southern Cross Station every 10 minutes during peak hours with the total journey to the airport expected to take approximately 25 minutes.”
Metropolitan and regional commuters will also be able to access the Melbourne Airport at key interchanges at Footscray and Sunshine.
“The new link will consist of a combination of at-grade and viaduct rail lines that will run from Albion, through the Jacana freight corridor and airport land terminating at a new elevated station at Melbourne Airport,” Dr Napthine said.
A new rail flyover would also be constructed at Albion to ensure smooth access to the existing rail network, he said.
Minister for Roads and Public Transport Terry Mulder said Melbourne Airport catered for 30 million passengers every year with the number expected to double by the mid 2030s.
“The Melbourne Airport Rail Link will complement existing transport links to Tullamarine and will cater for future growth in the number of people who utilise Melbourne Airport,” Mr Mulder said.
“With the commitment for this project now secured in the upcoming State Budget, the Coalition Government will get on with the job of detailed design works and consultation with stakeholders and the general community.”
The Coalition Government’s commitment to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link will be detailed in the upcoming May State Budget.
