Hundreds of steel pipes have arrived in Albion as crews begin the task of relocating Melbourne’s largest jet fuel pipeline, as part of works to untangle one of the state’s busiest rail junctions.
Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1 includes building 2 rail flyovers and a rail underpass as well as new and upgraded track between West Footscray and Albion, building 2 new platforms and extending the concourse to turn Sunshine Station into a superhub , and new stations at Albion and Tottenham.
Relocating the pipeline running along the rail corridor from Albion to Sunshine will make way for this new rail infrastructure.
The pipeline, currently located between one and 5m underground, is the main jet fuel pipeline to Melbourne Airport.
Crews will spend the next 8 months realigning the pipeline, boring a 2km hole 30m underground, between Albion Station car park and a small reserve inside the rail corridor near Sunshine Road.
Albion Station car park will remain closed until later this year, with more pipes being delivered to site over the coming weeks. Crews will then weld the pipes together in 250m sections.
When boring is completed, crews will pull the new steel pipes through the bore hole, commission the new fuel pipeline, and disconnect the old pipeline.
The $4.1 billion Melbourne Airport Rail Stage 1: West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade will create capacity for more than 1000 trains to travel through Sunshine Station every day, linking regional passengers to Metro Tunnel trains and Melbourne Airport trains in the future.
The project will also pave the way for future electrification to Melton.
Early designs for the project were released last month and integrate the Victorian Government’s Sunshine Station Masterplan, featuring a pedestrian and cycling path over the rail line, upgraded bus interchange, and a new station forecourt with open space at each entrance.
Community members can view the designs and provide feedback at Engage Victoria until Sunday 29 March.
