The biggest change to Melbourne Airport’s road network in its 56 year history is almost ready. The new Pick Up and Drop Off zones at Melbourne Airport will officially open in October. Built within the T123 multi-level carpark, the T123 Transport Hub will become the only pick up and drop off point for passengers travelling on Qantas (Terminal 1), Virgin Australia (Terminal 3) and all international flights (Terminal 2). Construction is nearing completion in this $500 million space, and live trials are now underway.
T123 Transport Hub – Pick Up and Drop Off zones at Melbourne Airport
This free space will separate private cars from commercial vehicles, such as taxis and ride-share. It will more than double the capacity for travellers, with 74 spaces and six lanes available in the drop off area, and 100 spaces in the pick up area.
The pick up zone is located at the rear of Level 2 of the T123 Transport Hub, while the drop off area is on Level 3. There are new, express ramps connecting the Tullamarine Freeway to the Transport Hub, and a new, 19-metre-wide pedestrian bridge will provide direct access from the hub to the terminals.
Once the project is complete, the existing drop off area will be closed to make way for the $4.5 billion expansion of Melbourne Airport’s international terminal. The existing pick up area will be reduced, and only available to SkyBus, taxis and Uber.
“This project will mean fewer traffic jams and make more room for hellos and goodbyes, while also unlocking the ability for us to expand the international terminal into the forecourt,” said Melbourne Airport CEO Lorie Argus. “Our current road network simply doesn’t have capacity to cope with our forecast passenger growth, with traffic modelling showing that without this project, passengers would be waiting an additional 28 minutes in peak periods by 2029.”
The new hub is further away than what Melburnians are used to, and the airport is now conducting accessibility trials to ensure passengers are supported. They’ve partnered up with Get Skilled Access and Traveller’s Aid to make getting about easier, such as providing a wheelchair.
“The testing phase is about learning and adapting and our accessibility live trials provided us with invaluable insight from people with various lived experiences that will help us tailor our services for their needs,” said Argus.
Meanwhile, drivers that are a bit early will have a dedicated wait zone on Mercer Drive, just off the Tullamarine Freeway. This waiting area is free for the first hour, and is a five-minute drive to the new pick up zone.
To learn more about the new Pick Up and Drop Off zones, click here.
