Travelling around Melbourne Airport is set to get easier with works commencing in late-february on a new multimillion dollar elevated loop road.
The new elevated loop road will connect the Tullamarine Freeway to the At Terminal T4 Car Park. The T4 express link will make it faster for drivers to reach Terminal 4, forecast to carry 5,000 vehicles per day when completed in early 2021.
Melbourne Airport is investing $60 million into the project, making it the airport’s largest road investment.
Melbourne Airport Chief Commercial Officer of Landside Access, Lorie Argus, said the airport was proud to invest in road access to cater to forecast passenger growth.
“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,” Ms Argus said.
“As Victoria’s premier gateway, our passenger numbers are predicted to rise from 37 million to almost 70 million people per year by 2038, so we’re making the necessary changes now to keep pace with demand.”
Seymour Whyte CEO and Managing Director, John Kirkwood, said he was looking forward to working on the project to deliver the first stage of the airport’s Major Development Plan.
“This contract award demonstrates Seymour Whyte’s versatility and diverse capabilities, leveraging off the expertise gained working on similar complex airport infrastructure projects,” Mr Kirkwood said.
“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.”
The airport’s new Terminal 4 elevated road forms the first part of the airport’s overall plan to improve road access.
A further $260 million is earmarked for stage 2 of the road upgrade, which would include a second elevated link to facilitate better connections to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
Ms Argus said both road projects will significantly cut traffic congestion for drivers.
“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,” Ms Argus said.
“Our elevated loop road upgrades will future-proof Melbourne Airport for international and domestic traveller growth while reducing stress for passengers.”
This is not the road that is needed. The ramp from the Tulsa to the departure terminals for Virgin, International and Qantas is antiquated and needs to have grade separation of pedestrians and vehicles. This is the area that has the worst congestion.. Whilst they are at it it a bit of traffic control to stop those who will not wait in a line and their turn. This has increased exponentially since the advent of so called ride share, many of these drivers make up their own rules as they go, they believe that the real rules do not apply to them.