Canberra Airport’s Taxiway Bravo is now open, following a 14-month construction period to update the aging taxiway network, boosting aircraft safety and reducing passenger travel times.
Michael Thomson, Head of Aviation at Canberra Airport, said this is yet another step forward for the airport’s infrastructure.
“Taxiway Bravo aligns with our long term vision as a world-class, small international airport to be as safe and efficient as possible and provide the best travel experience we can help to facilitate, now and well into the future,” Mr Thomson said.
Zarko Danilov, Head of Projects at Canberra Airport, said that he is proud of the team from Capital Airport Group, Huon (the main contractor for the project) and Spiire (the superintendent for the project) who have delivered a quality project on time and on budget.
“Around 150 people have worked tirelessly on this build to create a 1.6km taxiway enabling large international aircraft – and domestic planes – to move more safely around the airfield,” Mr Danilov said.
“The taxiway will also allow aircraft to move quickly from landing back to the terminal in turn reducing travel time for passengers.
“It may just look like a large road to many, however, to build such a road capable of carrying planes in excess of 180 tonnes takes some serious engineering and a lot of hard work.”
Taxiway Bravo is as wide as a four-lane highway, over 2m deep and required 115,000 square metres of select fill and gravel with special physical properties to be used as a road base.
“The existing taxiway network North of the terminal was built in the 1940s, so we were certainly due for an upgrade,” Mr Danilov said.
“Taxiway Bravo eliminates the need for planes to cross the main runway (which is the current arrangement) and clears the path for more planes landing or taking off.
“In short – it makes the whole airfield safer and more efficient.”
