By Helen Grimaux
The first sod was turned last week on a 3.3-kilometre extension of Airport Drive that lays the groundwork for a second road and rail entrance to the airport.
Roads Minister Terry Mulder and Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff donned hard hats and safety vests as earthworks got under way on the $100 million first stage.
The new entrance will come off the Western Ring Road and extend Airport Drive from
Sharps Road to Mercer Drive via a new four-lane divided road (two lanes in each direction), which will have capacity to expand to six lanes in future. A shared pedestrian and bike path will be constructed alongside the expanded Airport Drive.
Mr Mulder said the road project complemented the state government’s plans to build a Melbourne Airport rail link and, in conjunction with Transurban, widen the CityLink-Tullamarine Freeway interchange.
“Earlier this year, the Napthine government announced an $850 million upgrade and widening of both CityLink and a section of the Tullamarine Freeway to boost their capacity by 30 per cent,” Mr Mulder said.
An airport rail link would service a “massive growth” in the number of passengers travelling to and from the airport.
“The Airport Drive extension will relieve some of the congestion on the Tullamarine Freeway and reduce the amount of airport traffic using Melrose Drive,” Mr Mulder added.
Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff said the extended Airport Drive was scheduled to open next year, prior to the airport’s new domestic terminal and ensuring passengers had more direct access to the new Terminal 4 and its planned transport hub.
“We hope funding is also soon committed to extend the rest of the Tullamarine Freeway through to Melbourne Airport,” Mr Woodruff said. “The new Airport Drive is also where the airport rail link will enter the airport, with room for the rail link in the centre of the extended four-lane road.
“We are one of the only airports in the world with 30 million annual passengers, and no rail link.
“We look forward to working with the state government to progress this project and deliver an alternative mode of transport to and from Melbourne Airport.”
Mr Woodruff said the Airport Drive extension would also improve access to the airport’s growing business park.
“As Australia’s largest air freight export hub, access to this key area will continue to support our tenants, including five of the world’s top 10 logistics companies,” he said.
“It will also help the state government achieve its vision for Victoria to become Asia’s food bowl.”
