Melbourne Airport has released plans to build a new elevated flyover meant to relieve traffic congestion while funneling vehicles toward a new multi-purpose transport hub.
The plans, which are at the concept stage, mean passenger could no longer be dropped off at the airport’s main entrance and would instead face a longer walk from the transport hub to the terminals. The hub, as envisioned, would include taxi ranks, SkyBus and public bus stops, and a stop for the airport rail link if that project moves forward.
“The project is still very much in its early stages of design and planning and is also several years from completion, but it’s the kind of major project that is necessary for us to meet the future demand for access to Melbourne Airport,” airport CEO Chris Woodruff said.
The single direction elevated roadway, designed to separate vehicles and pedestrians and avoid congestion caused by pedestrian crossings, would likely cost “several hundred million dollars” and would be completed in stages, Mr Woodruff said.
The flyover would be part of the airport’s next master plan, which is due to be opened for public comment early next year. The airport is also due to start construction of its new Terminal Four — expected to house budget carriers — early in 2013.
Mr Woodruff said the airport would spend an estimated $1 billion on infrastructure upgrades over the next five years on the expectation that passenger numbers will double to 60 million a year over the next two decades.
