Melbourne Airport rail link

[ozbob]

The Age --> Airport rail link leaves western suburbs, Geelong on slow track

... Public Transport Users Association spokesman Daniel Bowen said running Geelong trains on the separate track would free up capacity at Wydnham Vale and Tarneit, where commuters face a crowded, unreliable service.

But these trains still face constraints between Newport and the city, where Geelong trains will mix it with other suburban services on tracks that are already at capacity.

Running airport trains through the Metro Tunnel revives an old plan that was rejected by bureaucrats four years ago, as it would result in less capacity for desperately needed new services in the Melton growth area. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1330170806324916224

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/railbotforum/status/1330221712819032066

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/melbourne-airport-rail-create-jobs-years-come

Premier Victoria Statement

Melbourne Airport Rail To Create Jobs For Years To Come

21 November 2020

The Melbourne Airport Rail Link route will take travellers into the heart of the CBD in less than 30 minutes following an historic agreement announced today between the Australian and Victorian governments

Prime Minister Scott Morrison joined Premier Daniel Andrews to announce the route for the project, which will connect Victoria's regional and metropolitan rail networks to the airport for the first time.

From 2029, Victorians will be able to catch a train directly from the CBD to the airport.

"The airport link is a nationally significant project and Victorians have been waiting a long time for it to become a reality. With construction to start in 2022, the agreement will support up to 8,000 jobs during construction," the Prime Minister said.

"When complete, the link will slash travel times, bust congestion and be a major boost to the economy."

Airport trains will run through the Metro Tunnel, meaning families in the booming south-eastern suburbs can get to the airport without changing trains, and the majority of Victorians can get to the airport with just one interchange from their closest station.

It also means that tourists visiting Victoria will be able to get from the airport to regional Victoria in a hassle-free way – meaning more visitors and jobs for our regions.

Melbourne Airport Rail will see 10-minute turn-up-and-go services running from Melbourne Airport through the heart of the city, providing direct connections to key sites including Melbourne University, the Parkville medical precinct, Melbourne Central and Flinders Street stations and the St Kilda Road business precinct.

Premier Daniel Andrews said today's announcement was a historic day for all of Victoria.

"This project has been talked about for a long time, its key to our recovery and this design means it will benefit all Victorians," Mr Andrews said.

"As we continue our recovery, we need a long-term plan. We need a pipeline of jobs for Victorians looking for work now, and for those who will need jobs in the future. We said we'd deliver this project, and we're keeping our promise."

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said this vital piece of infrastructure would transform travel to and from Melbourne Airport.

"The aviation industry is so important to Australia's economy and by investing in this rail link, we're making it even easier for Victorians to travel to and from Melbourne Airport," the Deputy Prime Minister said.

"This investment is an important part of the economic road back – it will be a job-creator for Victorians and a huge boost to so many local businesses across the construction industry."

Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said a rail line to the airport was long overdue for Melbourne. 

"Our objective has always been to deliver a rail connection that is fast, affordable and built as quickly as possible," Mr Tudge said.

"For those in the south east it will mean a trip to the airport without changing trains, and for others just one change."

Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan said that Airport Rail via Sunshine means that the majority of Victorians can access the airport by rail, as quickly as possible.

"This will give Victorians the fastest, most direct trip to the airport through the Metro Tunnel which will deliver more trains, more often."

Melbourne's west will also have direct airport access via a single interchange at Sunshine Station, or Footscray Station for Werribee and Williamstown line passengers.

Passengers on all city loop trains will be able to connect to airport trains at Flinders Street and Melbourne Central.

Passengers from the regional centres of Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo will travel to the airport via a single interchange at Sunshine, while passengers from Gippsland will be connected via a single interchange at a choice of locations along the Cranbourne and Pakenham lines.

It delivers the best possible integration with the existing network and paves the way for future improvements to regional and western metropolitan lines.

Melbourne Airport Rail will use the new fleet of High Capacity Metro Trains – the biggest and most passenger-friendly trains on Victoria's train network.

The Victorian and Australian governments have committed $5 billion each in funding. Detailed planning and development work is currently underway, which will inform more detailed cost estimates.

Construction will begin in 2022, with a target completion date for Melbourne Airport Rail of 2029 – subject to the business case and relevant Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Airport Rail Link tracks to soar above Melbourne suburbs

The new Melbourne Airport Rail Link will soar 55m above the Maribyrnong River and travel over the Western Ring Road via a series of elevated bridges.

The Herald Sun can reveal the design plan for the $10 billion project — to enable travellers to get between the airport and CBD in under 30 minutes — includes sections of sky rail through the suburbs of Sunshine North, Keilor East and Airport West.

Raised tracks will be built over the M80 near Airport West, where an extra station is also being considered to connect thousands of nearby residents to the suburban rail service.

Engineers are also planning to run the new line alongside freight rail tracks between Sunshine and Airport West, which will involve a 383m steel structure across the Maribyrnong — the second highest bridge in Victoria after the West Gate.

Once the line reaches Airport West and crosses above the M80, trains will run alongside Airport Drive. ...

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/first-look-long-awaited-melbourne-airport-rail

First look at long-awaited Melbourne Airport Rail

29 March 2021

Victorians have been given a glimpse of how Melbourne Airport Rail could look at key locations along its route, including the soon-to-be second highest bridge in Melbourne, as the Australian and Victorian governments get on with delivering the long awaited airport rail line.

Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts Paul Fletcher and Victorian Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan today released concept designs for a new rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River and elevated twin tracks between Sunshine and the Albion Junction.

Airport trains will run through the Metro Tunnel, meaning families in the booming south-eastern suburbs can get to the airport without changing trains, and the majority of Victorians can get to the airport with just one interchange from their closest station.

Both governments have committed up to $5 billion each for the construction of the project.

Minister Fletcher said tourists visiting the state will be able to get from the airport to regional Victoria in a hassle-free way – meaning more visitors and jobs for the regions.

"We know how long people have been waiting to see Melbourne Airport Rail become a reality, and these concept designs show just how much progress is happening on this transformational project," Minister Fletcher said.

"The Morrison Government is pleased to announce that this major investment is expected to deliver approximately 8,000 construction jobs, and give Melbourne and greater Victoria a state-of-the-art airport connection."

The new bridge will be 550 metres long, 50 metres high and built alongside the existing heritage-listed rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River.

Sunshine and the Albion Junction, airport trains will gradually rise to travel on new elevated twin tracks across a distance of less than two kilometres, before descending and continuing at ground level alongside the existing freight line through Sunshine and Airport West towards the airport.

Minister Allan said the proposed elevated rail solution would avoid costly and disruptive impacts to several major roads.

"Works from Sunshine to Albion will form an important part of Melbourne Airport Rail, with Sunshine becoming a key station for airport services and other regional and metro lines," Ms Allan said.

"These improvements will make travelling through Sunshine easier, as the number of trains and passengers increases following the completion of projects such as the new Metro Tunnel, Sunbury Line Upgrade and Melbourne Airport Rail."

Reference design along the alignment is underway in consultation with key stakeholders including councils, communities, government agencies, Heritage Victoria and contractors.

Construction on the project is set to start next year subject to all relevant approvals, with early works such as relocating utilities.

A recent round of online community engagement again highlighted the significant community interest in getting on with Melbourne Airport Rail and the benefits it will provide for the people of metropolitan and regional Victoria. More than 1,800 people logged into a virtual engagement room, more than 1,000 surveys were completed, and more than 200 comments submitted.

Key themes from feedback included a desire to minimise disruptions on already-busy local roads during construction; protect local heritage and the environment; and improve local areas with more community spaces.

This valuable local feedback will help to shape the project and there will be more opportunities for people to have their say as planning progresses.

Melbourne Airport Rail has a target opening date of 2029, subject to relevant Australian and Victorian Government planning, environmental and other government approvals.

Victoria's Big Build is continuing to transform road and rail Melbourne's west, with construction progressing on the West Gate Tunnel and Sunbury Line Upgrade, planning continuing for staged rail investments as part of the Western Rail Plan and 13 level crossings either already gone or targeted for removal.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> First airport rail images released, as long-delayed project inches closer


Ministers Jacinta Allan and Paul Fletcher unveiled the first images of the new rail bridge
to form part of the Melbourne Airport Rail project. CREDIT:RAIL PROJECTS VICTORIA

Only commercial properties will be acquired to build the long-awaited Melbourne Airport Rail link, the Andrews government has said, after it released the first images of a new bridge, set to become the second-highest in Victoria after the West Gate, it intends to build over the Maribyrnong.

Victorian Transport Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan and federal Urban Infrastructure Minister Paul Fletcher on Monday unveiled concept designs for the 550-metre-long rail bridge 50 metres above the Maribyrnong River between Sunshine and the Albion Junction. ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1403729065496875012

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/first-package-works-airport-rail-out-market

First package of works for Airport Rail out to market

12 June 2021

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 benefitting 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.

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> New plan for airport link 'sky rail' revealed $

The largest section of "sky rail" along the $10bn Melbourne Airport Rail Link will be up to 6km long, new tender documents show.

And the station at Tullamarine could end up being elevated as well, with project plans leaving the door ajar for the end of the line to be several storeys above ground.

Seven packages of works for the rail link, which would connect the airport to Sunshine before joining the route of the $13.7bn Metro Tunnel into the CBD, are set to be released to the market in coming months. This would allow for major construction to begin next year.

Advanced tender documents for the station precinct and the viaduct or "sky rail" section of the line have been released, showing companies short-listed for contracts would need to manage complex environmental issues as well as power substation and rail systems.

A description of works says there would be "construction of up to 6km (depending on station solution) of twin track viaduct commencing from the Airport Long Term Carpark and continuing along Airport Drive towards Steele Creek north and across the Western Ring Road". ...

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ptua/status/1561144137243836417

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Fight or flight? Conflict with airport looms after government reveals 'sky rail' plan $

An elevated "sky rail" station at Melbourne Airport is planned as part of the long-awaited $13 billion airport rail link project.

The Victorian government revealed the proposal in its latest infrastructure pitch, which also promises a new station in Keilor East to link 150,000 people in the Moonee Valley area to the Victorian rail network.

The government said the project, which will also include 12 kilometres of new track, an elevated rail bridge over the busy M80 Freeway and major upgrades to Sunshine Station, will be completed by 2029.

An artist's impression provided by the government shows the new station will connect to the airport near terminals 3 and 4.

But the decision to build an elevated station conflicts with Melbourne Airport's push for an underground station. The airport has argued that this would connect a future airport rail link to the government's Suburban Rail Loop project.

The airport rail link business case, to be released on Wednesday, finds it will deliver a positive return of $1.80 for every $1 invested, adding $17.9 billion to the state economy and creating about 8000 jobs during the construction phase. ...

[verbatim9]

Here is the related YouTube video.

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1572594616817577984

[ozbob]

https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/srl-airport-takes-flight-works-begin

SRL Airport Takes Flight As Works Begin

30 October 2022

After years of proposals, planning and empty promises from others, the Andrews Labor Government will be the first to start work to build a train line to Melbourne Airport.

Works are underway at Keilor East, signalling the start of a massive program of initial and early works for the highly anticipated project that will better connect Victorians to the city, the suburbs and the world as part of the Suburban Rail Loop.

The Suburban Rail Loop won't just transform our suburbs – it'll change how our whole state moves too – connecting every major suburban and regional line to Melbourne Airport.

For communities on the SRL line, it'll mean a single, direct trip to the Airport. For passengers on our other suburban lines, it'll mean no longer needing to travel into the city just to travel back out.

And for people in our regional communities, it means no more having to catch a train to catch a bus. Instead, they'll get to the airport with a single, seamless interchange at one of our transport superhubs.

For someone in Clayton, it'll take just 60 minutes to get to the airport and for someone in Ballarat, just 90 minutes – a saving of around 50 minutes.

When completed, the SRL Airport Line will mean passengers can get from the CBD to the airport in around 30 minutes.

More than 30 stations across Melbourne will have a direct connection to the airport via the Metro Tunnel, and passengers from most other stations in Victoria will only need to change trains once.

Supporting this state-shaping project, the Labor Government is also investing $143 million to deliver the first stage of the Sunshine Precinct Masterplan.

The Station Place package will include station enhancements, a new bus interchange, shared vehicle and pedestrian pavements, more open-space and the creation of future development sites, making it easier to deliver further stages of the masterplan in the years to come as the community continues to grow.

The first tranche of works on SRL Airport includes the removal and relocation of six AusNet electricity transmission towers between the Western Ring Road (M80) and the existing Albion-Jacana freight corridor.

New towers will create space for a new rail bridge over the Western Ring Road, taking trains north to the airport every 10 minutes and connecting more than 150,000 passengers in the City of Moonee Valley area to Victoria's expanding rail network for the first time with a new station at Keilor East.

The relocation of the AusNet towers will take place alongside a broader early works package that will move up to 250 key utilities – including powerlines, gas mains, communications equipment, and sewer and water supplies.

A construction consortium of FCC Construction Australia, Winslow Infrastructure and McConnell Dowell have been selected as the preferred contractor to deliver key parts of the project, including the approximately 550 metre twin track rail bridge over the Maribyrnong River.

The bridge will stand more than 50 metres above the river valley at its highest point, making it the second highest bridge in Victoria – second only to the West Gate Bridge.

A second construction consortium of John Holland, CPB, KBR and AECOM have been selected as the preferred contractor to deliver the Sunshine Systems Alliance works package to transform Sunshine Station, rebuild Albion Station, and build twin tracks between Sunshine and the Albion-Jacana corridor, including the elevated rail bridge.

These works will minimise the impact to residents and businesses and pave the way for major construction next year.

Quotes attributable to Premier Daniel Andrews

"The Suburban Rail Loop will change the way our whole state moves, connecting every major suburban and regional rail line to Melbourne Airport."

"Only Labor will keep doing what matters – and only Labor will deliver the public transport we need to take cars off the roads and get Victorians home safer and sooner."

Quote attributable to Minister for Transport Infrastructure Jacinta Allan

"You can't trust Matthew Guy's Liberals to deliver the transport infrastructure Victorians need. They've promised to cut the Suburban Rail Loop – putting thousands of jobs at risk and leaving hundreds of thousands of Victorians stranded."

Quote attributable to Minister for Public Transport Ben Carroll

"The last time the Liberals were in charge, they promised to deliver the Metro Tunnel, Airport Rail, Doncaster Rail, Avalon Rail and Rowville Rail – and didn't lay a single kilometre of track."

Quote attributable to Member for Tarneit Sarah Connolly

"Getting started on this much-needed upgrade to Sunshine Station and Station Place comes on top of a brand-new station at Tarneit West, an overhaul of Albion Station and planning for a station at Truganina – creating jobs, supporting local businesses and getting passengers home safer and sooner."

Quote attributable to Member for St Albans Natalie Suleyman

"The Sunshine Station upgrade will give the entire precinct a facelift, with modern facilities and better access bringing this busy local hub up to the standard commuters in Melbourne's west expect and deserve."

Quote attributable to Member for Footscray Katie Hall

"This is a great day for our local community – Melbourne Airport Rail will be a boon for people from Melbourne's west who will be able to get to the airport quickly and safely."

[ozbob]

https://twitter.com/danielbowen/status/1586514514560061442


 

[ozbob]

Infrastructure Australia

Melbourne Airport Rail

https://www.infrastructureaustralia.gov.au/projects/melbourne-airport-rail

" This proposal has not been progressed on the Infrastructure Priority List at this time. ... "

====

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1587086911528898561


Why then do they get $5 billion of Federal funds and Queensland gets stuff all?

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Victorian airport rail link project paused to rein in rising debt $

Melbourne's long awaited airport rail link is set to be put on hold.

Just months after construction of the mega-project got underway, the Saturday Herald Sun can reveal the state government will suspend work on the $8-13bn project in a desperate bid to rein in Victoria's rising debt.

It can also be revealed that work on the Geelong Fast Rail will also be suspended.

It comes amid fears Victoria is hurtling towards a record $200bn debt unless it takes drastic action to cut spending.

Senior bureaucrats say they have been warned that without serious funding cuts state debt will blow out well beyond current forecasts. ...

[#Metro]

It comes amid fears Victoria is hurtling towards a record $200bn debt unless it takes drastic action to cut spending.

Higher debt will mean that credit agencies are likely to downgrade their ratings. This means that to secure future funding, a higher and higher interest rate will need to be offered for the loans to clear. This higher rate compensates the lenders for the higher risk of default.

The Airport Rail link business case was interesting, because it showed an economics approach in addition to an engineering approach. Adding toll charges towards roads leading to Melbourne Airport would have a similar effect on congestion as building the rail link. It was a close second option.

Tolling would achieve the decongestion, promote PT use, reduce car use, and generate a stream of revenue... it would also be faster and cheaper to install and operate, you would just add a toll gantry and contract an existing toll road operator to handle the administration.

The obvious thing though is that people don't like paying, and new fee-for-service charges in the current environment would seem harsh.

 

[Gazza]

The AAA credit rating thing is a bit pointless.

The only way to get the lowest interest rates is to not have any debt.

What's the point of low interest rates if you can't take advantage of them lol.

[ozbob]

Melbourne Airport Rail link shelved | 7 News

[ozbob]

Budget changes could halt Victoria's airport rail link project | 9 News Australia

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Airport rail among the projects 'under review' in the next federal budget $

Melbourne airport rail is one of almost $15bn in projects the federal government is considering scrapping or cancelling.

It is now feared multiple major projects could be cut as the Commonwealth looks to rein in spending.

Among those that will be "under review" in the next federal budget are airport rail and Geelong Fast Rail.

But local road projects and other proposals are also in the firing line. ...

[#Metro]

^^

Melbourne Airport wants underground. Seems expensive. That said...

Perth Airport rail link cost $1.86 billion and is underground for the most part.

Melbourne estimated to be $11 billion. Whole thing above ground.

[ozbob]

Victoria's Deputy premier highlights frustrating airport rail negotiations | 9 News




    

[timh]

^^

Melbourne Airport wants underground. Seems expensive. That said...

Perth Airport rail link cost $1.86 billion and is underground for the most part.

Melbourne estimated to be $11 billion. Whole thing above ground.

We've spoken about it before.

Tunneling in Perth is very cheap compared to other cities due to sandy soil conditions

Redcliffe station built on Greenfield site

High Wycombe station built on brownfield site

Perth airport about 10km closer to CBD than Tullamarine

MARL requires like Australia's tallest railbridge to get up and over some big freeway.

It's not apples to apples

[Stillwater]

While it is the Victorian Govt's desire that the federal funding component for the Melbourne Airport and Fast Rail to Geelong projects be allocated to other projects in Victoria, now it has canned both, all bets are off. The feds might just save themselves a few dollars by taking both projects off their books as well -- or reallocate the money to transport projects elsewhere around Australia. 

The new Labor govt in NSW should state its position re fast rail between Sydney and Newcastle, to which the feds allocated $500 million. Perrottet didn't want it. That could be another saving for Jim Chalmers in next month's federal budget.

[#Metro]

The money exists for a project.

If the project ceases to exist, so should the money.

Lots of other places ready and willing to use the funds... like us!!

[ozbob]

Personal view:

It is absurd and very insulting to other Australian states that the Federal Govt would fund the Airport Rail with taxpayer funds

It should be funded the same way it was in Brisbane - A BOOT (Build Own Operate Transfer - private funding).

The hard earned should be spent on rail projects that benefit the states in improved transport outcomes for places such as ... ummmm  SUNSHINE COAST ! 

The money exists for a project.

If the project ceases to exist, so should the money.

Lots of other places ready and willing to use the funds... like us!!

[ozbob]

The Age --> MPs blindsided by Andrews government request to delay airport rail $

The Victorian government's decision to ask the federal government for a four-year delay to the construction of its airport rail link has triggered surprise and frustration among Labor frontbenchers, and advocates for Melbourne's booming western suburbs fear the move could throw related transport projects into disarray.

Five senior state and federal government sources, speaking on the condition of anonymity to discuss confidential budget plans, confirmed the request for the delay of $4 billion of funding for the Melbourne Airport Rail project was made by the Victorian government in a letter that also flagged the state's intention to abandon plans for fast rail to Geelong. ...

[#Metro]

Daniel Andrews government has achieved quite a lot in terms of change and infrastructure.

So he can get credit for that.

That said, his popularity hinges on being able to continue those projects.

And that hinges on the money, which is approaching an upper limit.

At the limit there are three options. And they are all bad:

1. Cut something
2. Sell something
3. Tax something

(or any combination of the above)

[kram0]

The people wanted an Andrews Government after covid (I still don't know why) they got what they voted for. A lying grub of a human as Premier.

Enjoy Victoria.

[RowBro]

The people wanted an Andrews Government after covid (I still don't know why) they got what they voted for. A lying grub of a human as Premier.

Enjoy Victoria.

What did he lie about?

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> U-turn on Airport Rail Link as minister issues clarification on the status of the project $

Construction on Melbourne's long awaited Airport Rail Link is set to slow to a crawl, with future works set to be put on hold.

There are fears of wide-scale job losses as a result of the go-slow, after Rail Projects Victoria announced a contract negotiation halt.

A plan to shift the government's Airport Rail Link project team to Sunshine has also been delayed.

The $10bn mega-project is already under construction, with early works progressing to shift utilities at key construction points, such as where a Keilor East station is planned.

"RPV will be telling everyone that all future airport rail contracts will be paused," one source said.

"People estimate the project runs out of cash in June. Lots of jobs going. ..."

[#Metro]

Better get that BRT bus lane in for Skybus...

[SteelPan]

The co$t was off the charts [see what Perth achieved, for a fraction of the price...even double that and you're still way short...triple it and you're STILL short  ]....BOTH the Commonwealth and Vic Govts were partners....so was funny watching Dan trying to dig his way out!

[ozbob]

Melbourne Age --> Melbourne Airport Rail workers redeployed as project officially paused $

Hundreds of tradespeople will be seconded to other projects after the Andrews government confirmed Melbourne Airport Rail Link construction would be paused, awaiting the results of a major Commonwealth review of the country's infrastructure pipeline.

Deputy Premier Jacinta Allan on Wednesday ended weeks of speculation about the future of the long-awaited rail line, saying works would be temporarily halted on the $13 billion Airport Rail Link, as well as upgrades of Clyde, McGregor and Racecourse roads. ...

[ozbob]

Herald Sun --> Melbourne Airport Rail Link project set to be mothballed for years $

The $10bn Melbourne Airport Rail Link project is set to be mothballed for years following a review of federally funded infrastructure projects.

Land that had been taken over for the project's early works is now being prepared to return to its previous use.

Tens of millions of dollars to be spent on remediation will effectively tie off sites while the project remains dormant.

No decision has been formalised on how long the link – which federal and state Labor promised at last year's elections – will be stalled. ... "

[ozbob]

https://x.com/9NewsMelb/status/1721066096550150496?s=20

[timh]

They're being very vague but to me sounds like the feds asked Melbourne Airport to chip in some cash for the rail link and they refused...