Construction of $300 million-plus taxiway network lifts off at Melbourne Airport
Melbourne Airport Corporation has begun construction of a $300 million-plus taxiway network.
The infrastructure is the largest airfield investment project since the Tullamarine airport opened in 1970.
Taxiway Zulu will provide additional space for aircraft traffic, improve the efficiency of movements on the ground and support the growth of Melbourne’s international connectivity, the owners said in a statement.
More than 250,000 square metres of pavement will be added to the site “without significant interruption to a single one of the airport’s daily flights”.
The finished taxiway network will result in parallel taxiways in the north of the airfield to support wide-body aircraft movements in both the east-west and north-south directions.
“Today is not just about breaking ground on a $300 million investment in our airfield; it is about transforming the travel experience for our passengers” Melbourne Airport Corporation chief of aviation David Hall said, adding that “it’s all part of our vision to support Melbourne on its journey to become Australia’s biggest city”.
Duncan Gibb, Fulton Hogan Construction chief executive officer said: ‘“we are passionate about designing a new future for Melbourne Airport while setting a benchmark for sustainable infrastructure. Melbourne Airport has ambitious plans for its future and we are proud to be selected to help deliver their inspirational vision.”
John O’Callaghan, director of project manager DCWC said, “we are delighted to be supporting Melbourne Airport in the delivery of this challenging airfield development that unlocks the Airport’s growth potential.”
The Melbourne Airport Corporation controlled 2369 hectare holding includes a portion which has in recent years been making way for commercial property construction, predominantly in the form of distribution centre investments, but also a hotel.
Essendon Football Club’s True Value Solar Centre is on 10 hectares of Melbourne Airport land (the club signed a 21-year lease commencing in 2014 for the $26.5 million complex, which it funded).
URBNSURF – Australia’s first human-made surf park facility and the world’s first full-sized Wavegarden Cove – is under construction on Airport Drive. URBNSURF is replacing land occupied for more than 30 years from 1983 by the not-for-profit Melbourne Airport Club.
