The Australasian Railway Association (ARA) has welcomed the announcement of a Melbourne Airport Rail Link by the Victorian Government, believing the new line would ease the city's rising congestion issues and drastically improve the traffic flow to and from the CBD.
Chief executive of the ARA Bryan Nye OAM said he was encouraged to see the Victorian government commit to the important infrastructure investment that is set to benefit all Melburnians and visitors to the city.
"A government's investment in public transport is good use of public money, and it is reassuring to see the government take ownership of its public transport projects, in particular rail, even in these tough economic times," said Mr Nye.
"I eagerly await the release of the finer details regarding funding and timelines in the state budget announcement next month and, subsequently, the outcome of the election set for November this year.
"Without substantial investment in our rail networks, particularly those that provide links to other major transport hubs like airports, Melbourne's highways will continue to be clogged with trucks and its cities will be heading further towards gridlock, frustration and excessive urban sprawl.
"Noting the constraint alleviation and capacity improvements the Melbourne Airport Rail Link will deliver, the rail industry is certainly keen to see this project, and the Melbourne Metro rail tunnel that it will be dependent on, get underway as a priority.
The ARA called for stronger rail links to Melbourne's air and sea ports in its submission to the Department of Planning and Local Infrastructure on the Melbourne Metropolitan Planning Strategy late last year.
"Integrated infrastructure investment is crucial to ensure the future productivity growth of the Victorian economy, as well as preventing urban roads from becoming clogged with trucks," continued Mr Nye.
"While rail is undoubtedly the most efficient transporter of both people and goods over long distances, increasingly it is becoming more competitive with road transport over shorter distances. Further integration with ports, airports and intermodal terminals can only have positive outcomes.
The new electrified rail link will run between Southern Cross Station and Melbourne Airport departing every 10 minutes in peak hours with the total journey to the airport expected to take approximately 25 minutes.
