Tara Murray
The Melbourne Airport Rail project team has identified five locations for possible substations to be constructed as part of the project.
The substations being constructed will help power trains on the new line, with the existing freight rail line from Albion to Jacana currently not operating electric trains.
A substation is a mostly self-contained, unstaffed building housing electrical equipment that converts
the local power supply into the voltage needed to operate trains, signals, and communication equipment across the train network.
They are regularly added to provide more power for additional train services to run.
The new line will have trains running from a new station at Melbourne Airport every 10 minutes via Sunshine and through to the city and regional areas.
Construction will begin in 2022 with a target opening date of 2029.
The proposed locations for the substations are Sunshine North near Munro Avenue, Keilor East near Keilor Park Drive and the Western Ring Road (M80), Keilor Park near Terror Street and the Western Ring Road (M80), Tullamarine near Sharps Road and Airport Drive and the Melbourne Airport near Terminal Drive.
The locations have been selected to meet both power needs and minimise visual impact.
Airport rail representatives will engage with locals and neighbouring properties as planning and design for the substations progress and before construction begins on the substations.
