A new image has emerged of an underground station option for Melbourne Airport’s new rail link

Melbourne Airport has backed underground station as part of a new rail link, and a new image reveals how it would look.

A new image showing an underground rail station near to Tullamarine terminals is part of Melbourne Airport’s 20-year master plan, signed off by the Albanese government.

The Andrews government wants to build an elevated sky rail station adjacent to the airport’s terminal car park as part of the $8bn-10bn project, in a bid to cut costs.

However, the airport has been advocating an underground option to allow for future growth in the precinct, while leaving an option to link to other rail tunnels built from the north in future.

The airport’s 2022 Master Plan includes an image of a covered entrance for an underground station, which would allow passengers to emerge near central terminals.

An artist's impression of Melbourne Airport with a concourse leading to an underground rail station, plus a planned elevated road link to car parks. Picture: Melbourne Airport

In November, federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King endorsed the 20-year master plan, which outlines how the airport would cater for a near-doubling of passengers — to more than 76 million a year — by 2042.

The Herald Sun has also unearthed a 1998 master plan referring to a below-grade station as the best option to “avoid constraining airport planning flexibility”.

A Melbourne Airport spokesman said while an underground station would be the “best solution”, it was working constructively on the state’s preferred option.

“We are working constructively with Rail Projects Victoria to optimise the state’s preferred elevated rail option, however Melbourne Airport’s position has been and remains that an underground station is the best solution for Victoria’s international gateway,” he said.

“An underground station provides better future-proofing of the rail line and airport precinct, while also providing a superior passenger experience.

The Andrews government wants to build an elevated sky rail station adjacent to the airport’s terminal car park. Picture: Mark Stewart

“Melbourne Airport remains committed to a rail connection that works for all airport users.”

Early works have begun for the project, which is being jointly-funded by the state and federal governments.

Once built by 2029, it will allow passengers at the airport to travel into the city within about half an hour, travelling to Sunshine in Melbourne’s west and then into the CBD via the $14 billion Metro Tunnel.

The Andrews government released an image this year showing an elevated station at Tullamarine, with passengers arriving about six storeys above ground before descending to a covered walkway linking to terminals.
It has said that the above-ground option would mean less disruption to the precinct during construction, a quicker build time, and fewer power and gas services that would have to be moved.

A spokeswoman for the government said: “an elevated station is the best outcome for passengers”.

“Suburban Rail Loop Authority and Rail Projects Victoria are also working closely together to ensure the interchange between future stations at Melbourne Airport is as convenient and efficient for passengers as possible,” she said.