Rail commuters could face delays once work starts on the upgrading of Sunshine Station. Among the plans for what is a major rebuilding project, includes lifts – something many commuters would like to see added to Sunbury Station.
A key part of the Sunshine Station plan is to add a rail connection to Melbourne airport, and more frequent and reliable services in Melbourne’s west, says Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Danny Pearson.
Both state and federal governments have each committed $5bn to the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, and upgrading Sunshine Station is the first part of the project. No dates have been published for when work will start or when it will be completed.
As part of the commitment to deliver the Melbourne Airport Rail Link, a $63.5m investment will begin plans to rebuild Sunshine Station, which will also unlock capacity for future upgrades in the west.
The new Sunshine Station will include additional platforms, while track and bridge works and signalling improvements will untangle this complex junction which services both freight, and more than 70% of V/Line’s network – including the Geelong, Bendigo, and Ballarat lines.
The upgrade will increase capacity for additional services from Wyndham Vale and allow for future electrified trains to run from Melton. It will also enable six trains an hour to the airport.
The development works will be delivered alongside the Victorian Government’s $143 million Sunshine Station Precinct Masterplan upgrade which includes a new bus interchange and pedestrian connections.
Along with Sunshine Station, the Victorian government is making other investments in Melbourne’s west including the $650m Melton Line Upgrade – boosting capacity by 50% on the Melton Line by 2028 – while also removing four more level crossings and constructing a brand-new Melton Station.
