Section 9 - Ground Transport Plan - Melbourne Airport

9.5.1 Internal Roads
The elevated loop road and the accompanying connections
to the existing roads and transport hubs is the critical
piece of infrastructure that will shape the internal road
network. As a matter of priority, work will commence on
designing and implementing the elevated loop road. Given
the scale of the project, valued at over $300 million, the
new road will be built in stages. The first stage (subject to
approval) is programmed to start in 2014–2015 and will
target the existing intersections that cause the congestion
to and from the airport and the Tullamarine Freeway.
Francis Briggs Road is being extended south from APAC
Drive to connect to Melrose Drive at the Mercer Drive
intersection. This will provide dedicated access for taxis
from the primary taxi-holding area. It will enable the
airport to maintain response time for passengers and
surety for the necessary taxi response times in the
terminal precincts. The road will also provide access to
the new Airside Gate (27) to service the logistics supply
to the commercial sites in the Airside Precinct. Francis
Briggs Road will also allow access to the taxi-holding
area and relocated staff car park, providing additional
capacity on Melrose Drive by removing congestion
arising out of the previous vehicle entries and exits.
Melrose Drive will enjoy the benefit of the duplication
of the final section just east of Centre Road. This will
reinforce access into the Southern Precinct Terminal
area and to the freight precinct.
Terminal Drive will also benefit from an additional lane
and improvements to the intersection with Centre Road,
which will help with capacity until the elevated loop road
is built.
The Airport Drive extension will complete the approach
to the airport from the M80 Ring Road. The Airport Drive
extension will provide a secondary entry point into the
airport precinct and relieve some of the congestion on
the Tullamarine Freeway and the amount of airport traffic
using Melrose Drive. The Airport Drive extension will
consist of a four-lane divided road (two lanes in each
direction), with the provision to expand to six lanes at
a later time.
The existing section of Airport Drive between the M80
Ring Road and Sharps Road is currently a four-lane
divided road managed by VicRoads. It is understood
there are no current plans for that section to be widened,
noting that there are physical constraints that may impact
that possibility.
9.5.2 Melbourne Airport Forecourt
Development
The growth of the internal road network will improve
capacity within the airport. However, there is an equally
important need to maintain a corresponding capability
for passenger drop-off and pick-up within terminal
precincts. The main forecourt precinct underwent major
renovation during 2011, 2012 and 2013 that has involved
creating additional traffic lanes for drop-off and pick-up
in front of the T1, T2 and T3 terminals, and streamlining
the use of the area for the various modes of transport
including taxis, bus services and general private vehicles.
Work continues to improve the precinct’s amenity, safety
and security.
DRAFT
Equally important is the Southern Precinct Program.
Planning is underway to separate pedestrians and
vehicles and provide high capacity access to and from
the road network by developing a ground transport hub.
This facility will work in harmony with the elevated loop
road to minimise, if not eliminate, congestion for the life
of this Master Plan.
9.5.3 External Roads
Reliable and efficient transport links between Melbourne
Airport, the CBD and the metropolitan area are critical
to ensure there are appropriate levels of access to the
state’s major airport. Currently 80 per cent of all vehicles
accessing the airport use Tullamarine Freeway. Given the
reliance on this arterial road, and the current congestion
levels that occur, Melbourne Airport believes the State
Government must consider widening the Tullamarine
Freeway as a matter of priority, particularly the section
that continues to impact airport-bound traffic.
126