Elevated Roads

Melbourne Airport is addressing growing traffic congestion through the construction of an elevated loop road network, which will separate public traffic from commercial transport operators.
The two-stage project will create a more streamlined exit from the Tullamarine Freeway to all terminals meaning travellers will no longer need to navigate roundabouts and busy intersections to make their way to the pick-up, drop-off and parking areas.
Stage 1 of this project was approved by the Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development in 2019.
The airport has now completed the Preliminary Draft Major Development Plan (MDP) for stage 2 , which is on public exhibition for people to review and provide comment and feedback on. You can view the MDP in the document library on the right of this page.
The project will target critical congestion points on the network leading into the airport, in particular Departure Drive, and the intersection of Centre Road and Terminal Drive.
The following key segments of the network will be progressively delivered.
Stage 1 – T4 Express Link
A new, direct connection from the Tullamarine Freeway into the T4 ground transport hub. This stage of the project will create a more streamlined exit from the Tullamarine Freeway catering mostly to T4 domestic travellers who will no longer need to navigate around a number of roundabouts and busy intersections to make their way to the pick-up, drop-off and parking facilities.
The T4 Express Link works will largely be constructed away from the Tullamarine Freeway to reduce impacts on the travelling public. Some minor disruption is expected within the Long Term Car Park during construction, and critical works such as the lifting of concrete bridge beams will be undertaken overnight to further minimise impacts on motorists and airport passengers. Construction on this stage is yet to begin.
Stage 2 – Elevated Roads and Forecourt
This stage includes:
- Elevated Road to T123 Car Park Entry
- Level 3 Exit Ramp to Departure Drive
- Level 2 Exit Ramp to Melbourne Drive
- Elevated Road Off-Ramp to Airport Drive
New pedestrian footbridge connecting Level 2 of T123 Car Park to Terminal Departures
Forecourt ground level redevelopment works for two carriageways and additional area north of T123 Car Park
Centre Road / Airport Drive
Centre Road / Melbourne Drive
Centre Road / Terminal Drive
Centre Road / Arrivals Drive
Stage 2 of the project, will deliver, if approved, the grade separation of the heavily congested Terminal Drive and Centre Road intersection.
The current forecourt will remain open to commercial vehicles (including SkyBus, taxi/rideshare pick-up, long-term car park shuttle bus, other shuttle services, staff and crew buses etc.). New elevated exit ramps from T123 Car Park will join back onto the Tullamarine Freeway to complete the journey.
The Elevated Roads and Forecourt Stage 2 MDP is now available for review. You can view the MDP in the document library on the right of this page.
Combined with stage 1, the project will add around 1.6km of new road to the airport’s existing network. Stage 2 is estimated to remove about 40,000 cars from Terminal Drive and improve travel times for people driving into the airport precinct by around 35 minutes.
To ask a question about the project or to make a submission use the tools below.
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