Skylink RapidTransit’s plan for an airport rail link could be built in five years for $5 billion

A LIGHT rail link that could get you from the city to Melbourne Airport in just 15 minutes is being proposed as a cheap alternative to a heavy rail line.

A LIGHT rail link to Melbourne Airport could be built for just $5 billion, offering a cheap and efficient alternative to a heavy rail line between Tullamarine and the city.

A feasibility study of the radical plan obtained by the Herald Sun shows that such a link could be operational in just five years, with tracks running about 12m above northwest suburban roads.

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Travellers would get to the airport in 15 minutes on driverless trains, with the proposal — costed by consultants Rider Levett Bucknall — also including the price of building new stations at Tullamarine and Southern Cross.

The state and federal governments are working on a business case for an airport rail link, and while all technical options are on the table, a heavy rail line is believed to be favoured.

An artist’s impression of a monorail station at Melbourne Airport. Picture: Supplied

But Skylink Rapid Transit, the private consortium behind the light rail plan, argues its option is cheaper and can be built sooner to handle the growth in passenger numbers at the airport.

Director Peter O’Brien said airport rail must “not be confused with solving equally pressing problems with the Geelong and Ballarat line ­upgrades”.

He said there had been a “distinct and regrettable lack of action” in kickstarting an airport link project.

The Herald Sun revealed last month that Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull would pledge $5 billion to an airport rail link.

He called on the state government to match the Commonwealth’s investment so they could build and own the line together.

A monorail to Melbourne Airport could be built for just $5 billion.

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But no money was allocated in Tuesday’s state Budget and Victorian Treasurer Tim Pallas said he wanted to wait for the business case, which is due in September.

“I’m committed to working with the federal government to try and get something sensible out of them. But with or without them, this government is committed also to make sure we get fast rail to Geelong and ultimately, in time, to Ballarat,” Mr Pallas said.

The $5 billion airport light rail price tag does not include the cost of buying up properties, which could be necessary.

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