Melbourne Airport Rail relocates fuel pipeline underground

Melbourne Airport Rail has entered a new phase of construction. Boring is now underway on a new two-kilometre jet fuel pipeline tunnel. This is reported by the railway transport news portal Railway Supply.

It runs between Sunshine and Albion. The work forms part of the Stage 1 West Footscray to Albion Rail Upgrade.

Melbourne Airport Rail and the pipeline tunnel

The existing pipeline — the main jet fuel supply to Melbourne Airport — is being relocated 30 metres underground, as Victoria’s Big Build notes. Also, the move will make room for new platforms at Sunshine Station. It will make room for an extended concourse and a new forecourt as well. Meanwhile, the works will also create space at Albion for a future rail viaduct. That structure would let trains pass over Ballarat Road. It would come in a later stage of the project.

Don’t miss…Ohio approves Toledo rail crossing upgrade on Erie Street

The $4.1 billion Stage 1 works are designed to untangle one of Melbourne’s most complex rail junctions. New rail flyovers will separate regional, metro and freight services. In addition, they will create capacity through Sunshine Station. The total is more than 1000 trains a day. Also, the project will pave the way for future electrification to Melton.

Sunshine Station upgrade and later works

The pipeline currently sits between one and five metres underground. Separately, Albion Station car park will remain closed. During that period, crews will assemble the new pipes into 250-metre sections. Still, eight accessible car spaces will stay open throughout the works.

Later this year, the pipe sections will be pulled through the tunnel. They will then be connected to the existing pipeline. This will keep fuel flowing to the airport while major construction is underway.

Sunshine Station Masterplan in the early designs

Early designs for the Sunshine Station project, released in February, incorporate the Victorian Government’s Sunshine Station Masterplan. They include a pedestrian and cycling path over the rail line. They also include an upgraded bus interchange. In addition, they include a new station forecourt with open space at each entrance.

At the same time, Railway Supply reports that the shortlist of consortia has been announced. Those groups are shortlisted to deliver the final Airport Rail works.

News on railway transport, industry, and railway technologies from Railway Supply that you might have missed: