By Tate Papworth
Melbourne Airport has begun construction on its $60 million express road.
The new elevated loop road will connect the Tullamarine Freeway to the Terminal T4 carpark.
Melbourne Airport chief commercial officer of landside access Lorie Argus, said the project, the largest road investment by the airport, will make it faster for drivers to reach Terminal 4.
The express road is forecast to carry 5000 vehicles a day when completed in early 2021.
A further $260 million is earmarked for stage two of the road upgrade, which would include a second elevated link to facilitate better connections to Terminals 1, 2 and 3.
“We’re investing $60 million in this component and $260 million in the next … we’ll have an entirely elevated forecourt and development straight in and out of the terminals,” Ms Argus said.
She said both road projects would significantly cut traffic congestion for drivers.
“We see 120,000 vehicles in and out of this precinct every day … 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.
“We see this road taking us well into the 2050s for capacity.”
