Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is scheduled to visit Melbourne alongside Victorian Deputy Premier Ben Carroll to formally announce the next phase of the long-delayed Melbourne Airport rail project. This second stage focuses on a 7.6km stretch of track connecting Albion to a new station in Keilor East.

According to the announcement, initial site investigations, procurement, and development work are slated to begin in the coming weeks. The infrastructure plan includes the construction of a 500-meter rail bridge designed to carry trains over the Maribyrnong River, running parallel to the existing Jacana freight corridor. Following these initial development steps, the government plans to initiate community engagement sessions and finalize early design specifications.

While the project is a significant infrastructure development for the state, it has historically faced various delays and public scrutiny regarding its timeline and budget. The current announcement signals a move toward active construction preparation for this specific segment of the rail line, which aims to improve transit connectivity between Melbourne’s western suburbs and the airport.