CityLink widening only expected to ease airport congestion for 10 years

THE $1.3 billion project to widen the Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink won’t bring Melburnians long-term road relief and is predicted to only ease congestion for the next 10 years.

A $1.3 BILLION project to widen the Tullamarine Freeway and CityLink is only expected to ease congestion to the airport for the next 10 years, says Melbourne Airport CEO Lyell Strambi.

When completed next year, extra freeway lanes are expected to save 30 minutes on a return trip between the CityLink tunnels and the airport.

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With passenger numbers set to soar from 35 million to 64 million people by 2033, Mr Strambi said the newly designed freeway would likely cater for the airport’s growth over the next 10 to 15 years.

“The Tullamarine Freeway expansion is a really welcome development for us and it will ease traffic congestion to the airport,” Mr Strambi said.

“Our best estimate is that capacity will see us deal with demand for the next 10 to 15 years.

“If we keep growing at the growth rates that we’ve been growing at in recent years, it’s more likely 10, but if it eases off a little, it could be as long as 15.

The Tullamarine Freeway widening will only bring Melburnians congestion relief for 10 years according to the airport CEO. Picture: Nicole Garmston

“That’s exactly why we are out there now saying we need the next solution, we really do need Government delivering on the rail project.

“Given that’s probably got a 10-year lead time, now is the right time to start that.”

The airport, which opened in 1970 to replace nearby Essendon Airport, is celebrating 20 years of private ownership today.

Mr Strambi said future improvements would likely include a fifth terminal as well as improving the overall passenger experience.

“The fact that Melbourne still remains a 24/7, 365-days a year unconstrained airport is a huge competitive advantage to Victoria,” he said.

“As our airport welcomes millions more passengers, we need to make sure that the traveller journey through the airport is as seamless and enjoyable as the rest of the trip.

“We want people to have a lasting impression of Melbourne, and the airport.

Melbourne Airport by the numbers.

“There’s no point having an airport that can cope with 60 million passengers if people physically can’t get to and from the airport.”

Mr Strambi admitted the airport, which collects nearly $400,000 a day in parking fees, could do more to explain its pricing policy to customers.

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“Nobody enjoys paying for parking whether that is in the suburbs, in the city, or at the airport,” he said.

“The truth is we have a really wide array of offers for our customers from free parking through to premium parking.

“I don’t think customers really understand our parking proposition, we need to make it easier for them to make really conscious choices between how much they are prepared to pay verses the convenience they’re prepared to give up for lower prices.”

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