Australia’s Sydney Airport will open its road and car park after upgrades at T1 later this month in time to handle holiday rush before Christmas.
The T1 project is a part of the airport’s ground transport solutions plan that has been designed to improve traffic flow at and around the airport.
The first phase of the improvements at the airport include a new, faster public pick up zone to give motorists more convenient area to collect passengers, a new centre road to improve traffic circulation, dedicated car park exits for city and west/southbound traffic and relocation of car park entry and exit boom gates to streamline traffic flow around the precinct.
The second stage of improvements beginning in 2015 will involve the construction of an expanded T1 taxi-holding bay, improved limo and car hire facilities.
The new pick-up zone, which features a one-way, drive-in and drive-out parking layout, has been built with almost 25% additional capacity. This layout will eliminate the need for drivers to reverse out of parking bays, resulting in faster, more efficient pick-up times and improved safety for both motorists and pedestrians.
Sydney Airport parking and ground transport general manager Craig Norton said: “Our priority in upgrading the road network at T1 is to make it easier to travel to and from the airport by car, taxi or public transport.
“The improvements will benefit airline passengers and other airport visitors, airport workers and Sydney motorists and commuters, as well as pedestrians and cyclists.”
A waiting area beside the pickup zone has also been constructed to provide shelter and seating for passengers waiting for travellers.
“Visitors to T1 will notice an improved experience whether they are picking up or dropping off passengers, or parking in the multi-storey or outdoor T1 car parks,” added Norton.
“Construction of these important improvements has gone to schedule and will be open in time for the traditionally busy Christmas holiday travel season at the airport.”
There are also a few proposed initiatives at T2 and T3 including a new one-way road system extending from Seventh Street to connect Shiers Avenue to Qantas Drive, as well as linking the T2/T3 terminals and a ground transport interchange with a bus/coach station and storage for 4,000 vehicles to encourage greater use of public transport.
