Sunshine Systems Alliance selected to deliver a major construction package for the Melbourne Airport Rail

AECOM, Alstom, john holland, KBR, Melbourne Airport, Rail Projects Victoria, Sunshine Systems Alliance,

October 11, 2022

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Early planning and design commence after joint venture partners from the Sunshine Systems Alliance were chosen as the preferred contractor for the Melbourne Airport Rail project.

The Sunshine Systems Alliance consortium consists of AECOM, John Holland, CIMIC Group member CPB Contractors, KBR, Alstom, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line, and Rail Projects Victoria. 

Early planning and design have commenced, along with early works on site in the Sunshine and Albion areas for the Melbourne Airport Rail project.

“This is a truly transformative project for Victoria and one in which we are proud to play a part,” said Richard Barrett, AECOM’s Chief Executive in Australia and New Zealand. “We are excited to bring our team’s experience in the successful delivery of complex Alliance projects and our brownfields rail infrastructure design expertise to realise this new project, which will bolster Melbourne’s role as a global city and aviation hub.”

CIMIC Group Executive Chairman Juan Santamaria said: “We are excited to have the opportunity to contribute our infrastructure expertise to the Melbourne Airport Rail project, which is a transformative project for Victoria, providing the first connection between Melbourne Airport and the state’s regional and metropolitan train network. This city-shaping infrastructure will generate significant economic benefits for the people of Victoria.”

“Melbourne Airport Rail will benefit all Victorians by providing seamless connections to get people where they need to go safer and sooner,” says John Holland, Executive General Manager for Rail & Transport, Steve Butcher.

“We pride ourselves on delivering large-scale rail projects that transform lives, as well as operating and maintaining world-class networks around the country,” says John Holland, Executive General Manager for Rail & Transport, Steve Butcher.

As part of the works, the Sunshine Systems Alliance will deliver significant improvements, including:

• Major improvements, including a new, accessible second pedestrian concourse and a new forecourt area at Sunshine Station
• A new forecourt area and car park improvements at Albion Station
• Construction of an elevated flyover at Albion separating airport trains from metropolitan and regional services
• Relocation and implementation of rail systems, modifications to substations, and protection of existing utilities. 

“This is a historic and transformative project for Victoria. We are incredibly proud to be part of the preferred consortium to deliver the first package of works,” says John Holland CEO Joe Barr.

About the Melbourne Airport Rail

The Melbourne Airport Rail will provide passengers with a 30-minute trip between the airport and Melbourne’s CBD and facilitate connections to the regional and metropolitan rail network for the first time. This will benefit regional Victorians, with Ballarat, Geelong, and Bendigo lines having direct connections through Sunshine Station and the Metro Tunnel. 

“Melbourne Airport Rail will benefit all Victorians by providing seamless connections to get people where they need to go safer and sooner,” says John Holland Executive Manager Steve Butcher. 

“Along with our partners on the city-shaping Metro Tunnel, John Holland is thrilled to be involved in delivering another major rail project as part of the Victorian Government’s Big Build program.” 

The Australian and Victorian governments have committed $5 billion each to deliver Melbourne Airport Rail.

The Melbourne Airport Rail project is expected to support up to 8000 jobs during construction. This includes direct and indirect employment from local suppliers and planners to engineers and construction workers. 

CPB Contractors Managing Director Jason Spears said: “Our teams in Victoria have demonstrated significant rail expertise on brownfield projects such as the Melbourne Metro Tunnel Project’s Rail Network Alliance and the Caulfield to Dandenong level crossings removal project. Our people are construction experts and are committed to ensuring Melbourne Airport Rail is delivered safely, to schedule and with minimum disruption to local communities.”

Read here to learn more about jobs supported by the Melbourne Airport Rail project. 

Proposed Scope for Melbourne Airport Rail project

• A new premium station at Melbourne Airport with services every ten minutes
• Major improvements to Sunshine Station, including a new, accessible second pedestrian concourse with escalators and lifts for better passenger connections between regional, metropolitan and Melbourne Airport trains
• New twin tracks rising over Anderson Road through to the start of the Albion-Jacana corridor, elevating the rail line over the Sunbury corridor, Ballarat Road and St Albans Road (less than 2km)
• Twin tracks continuing at ground level along the Albion-Jacana corridor, including a new rail bridge to cross over the Maribyrnong River alongside the existing heritage bridge
• A new station at Keilor East
• A rebuild of Albion Station
• A new rail bridge to cross over the Western Ring Road (M80)
• Changes to existing road bridges, pedestrian and cycling connections and other rail infrastructure upgrades – such as new signalling and power systems – along the length of the route.

Detailed planning and development work is currently underway with the alliance comprised of AECOM, John Holland, CIMIC Group member CPB Contractors, KBR, Alstom, Metro Trains Melbourne, V/Line, and Rail Projects Victoria. 

Construction started this year (2022) with a target opening year of 2029, subject to relevant Victorian and Federal planning, environmental and other government approvals.

Sources: John Holland Group Pty Ltd | AECOM | CIMIC | © State Government of Victoria, Australia 2022

Image Source: © State Government of Victoria, Australia 2022

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