Sydney Airport has implemented permanent road changes near near the T2/T3 Domestic precinct that will improve airport traffic flow.
The works form part of a joint investment by Sydney Airport and the NSW Government that will see the opening of a widened section of Qantas Drive between the main entrance to and exit from the T2/T3 precinct.
At the same time, lower Robey Street will become one-way northbound for traffic travelling between Qantas Drive and O’Riordan Street, and O’Riordan Street will become one-way southbound for traffic south of Robey Street.
The changes are a key part of a five year, $500 million joint program of ground transport improvements by the NSW Government and Sydney Airport.
Sydney Airport General Manager Landside Operations and Transport, Craig Norton, said the changes were designed to work together to ease traffic flow in all directions.
“The widening of Qantas Drive and the one-way arrangement of lower Robey and lower O’Riordan streets are designed to improve road capacity and increase green light time,” Mr Norton said.
“We expect better traffic flow into and out of the T2/T3 precinct, while improving outcomes for road users driving past the airport on their way to other destinations.”
The changes mean new routes for road users, depending on their destination:
- Westbound road users on Joyce Drive, who wish to go north on O’Riordan Street, must take a later right turn at Robey Street
- Eastbound road users on Qantas Drive, who wish to go north on O’Riordan Street, must turn left at Robey Street
- Southbound road users on O’Riordan Street, who wish to go west on Qantas Drive (towards the T1 international terminal) can no longer use Robey Street and must instead turn right at Qantas Drive
All road signs will be updated, and electronic message signs will initially be displayed to help road users adjust to the new arrangements.
Further easing of traffic around the T2/T3 precinct is expected when the NSW Government’s Airport East project is completed in 2019, and this work is already underway.
Sydney Airport is on track to complete its five-year ground access improvements at the end of 2017, a year ahead of schedule.
Works to be completed by the end of 2017 include new lanes to further improve access to and from the T1 international terminal.
Sydney Airport has already completed the following projects to improve traffic flows:
- A new Centre Road within the T1 International precinct making it easier for motorists to drive in and around the precinct
- A new dedicated entry from Marsh Street onto Centre Road at T1, relieving traffic pressure on Departures Road and Arrivals Court
- Reconfigured car park entries and exits at T1, including a new dedicated exit for citybound traffic
- A five-lane one-way exit from the T2/T3 Domestic precinct
- The expansion of Sir Reginald Ansett Drive to five dedicated entry lanes into the T2/T3 Domestic precinct
- A new dedicated taxi entry lane at the T2/T3 Domestic precinct and improved taxi holding areas across the airport
- Reconfigured T2/T3 Domestic precinct to accommodate ridesharing services such as Uber and Go-Catch, as well as an expanded 15-minute free Express pick-up area
In addition to the extensive road upgrades, Sydney Airport has upgraded bicycle and walking paths to the airport, and continues to advocate for more public transport services and frequencies to and from the airport, as well as a reduction in the Station Access Fee when catching the train to the airport.