National

Melbourne Airport Rail project hits contract speed bump

By AAP Newswire

May 17, 2023

Image of the proposed Melbourne Airport Train station — Melbourne's airport rail link is on hold during a review of national infrastructure projects. -PR Handout Image

Melbourne's long-awaited airport rail link has hit a speed bump, with no new contracts able to be signed until the end of a national review.

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The Albanese government earlier this month announced a 90-day review into the nation's $120 billion infrastructure pipeline.

States have since been informed no new contracts to progress works can be entered into during that time without express permission of the Albanese government.

As such, projects moving from early works packages cannot enter the next phase of works during the review period.

Melbourne Airport Rail, the Clyde Road upgrade and the McGregor and Racecourse Road upgrades in Pakenham are among the affected joint projects.

Works on these projects will continue until the end of their current works packages, which vary.

Workers may be temporarily redeployed to other government projects while the review is underway.

"We're being upfront with our contractors, workforce, and the public, and following the direction from the federal government," Victorian Transport and Infrastructure Minister Jacinta Allan said in a statement on Wednesday.

By AAP Newswire

Australian Associated Press