It will soon be easier and faster for travellers to get to the Melbourne Airport as construction is set to commence soon on a $60 million express road that will connect the Tullamarine Freeway to the airport’s Terminal 4 car park.
“We’re focused on improving the traveller experience from freeway to runway and the elevated loop road is going to make it easier and faster for people to reach Terminal 4, which services Jetstar, Tigerair and REX travellers.
“As Victoria’s premier gateway, our passenger number are predicted to rise from 37 million to almost 70 million people per year by 2028, so we’re making the necessary changes now to keep pace with demand,” Melbourne Airport Chief Commercial Officer of Landslide Access Lorie Argus said.
The T4 Express Link is one of an overall plan to improve access to the airport and it is expected to carry approximately 5,000 vehicles daily.
The elevated road is the first of a two-stage project that will help relieve congestion around the airport as well as separate public traffic from commercial transport operators.
About $260 million is going to be invested for Stage 2 of the project, which will include a second elevated link that will improve connections to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
“Our data shows that if we do not add more roads by 2025, drivers could be stuck in traffic for around 30 minutes on the doorstep of the airport.
“Our elevated loop road upgrades will future-proof Melbourne Airport for international and domestic traveller growth while reducing stress for passengers,” Mr Argus said.
The contract to deliver the first stage of the airport’s Major Development Plan has been awarded to Seymour Whyte.
“This contract award demonstrates Seymour Whyte’s versatility and diverse capabilities, leveraging off the expertise gained working on similar complex airport infrastructure projects.
“We are committed to ensuring that the project’s planned operational, social and economic benefits are achieved through innovative and sustainable solutions - and that we deliver a quality asset of long-term value for Melbourne Airport and the people of Victoria,” Seymour Whyte CEO and Managing Director John Kirkwood said.
Construction of the project is due to be completed in early 2021.
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Source: Seymour Whyte; Melbourne Airport; Infrastructure Magazine; Australian Aviation
