Canberra Airport Terminal Upgrades

[Rod Sloan]

Originally Posted by Todd Milton

Here are some photos from the Construction around the Airport. The Roundabout at Morshead Dr, Pialligo Ave and Dairy Road (Alt23 extension, Monaro Hwy) is now traffic lights.

Replacing a roundabout with lights on what is an extremely busy intersection. What a fantastic idea, Who ever came up with this idea is a moron. Grade separation and a flyover would have been a MUCH better option. Stupid ACT Govt !!!

Terminal Cct no longer serves the Virgin Blue/Tuger end (Ex Ansett) of the terminal.

This is also just bloody stupid. I also hope they fix those damn potholes just after the speed hump/ped xing on exit.

[Kim F]

Must admit though, that Roundabout at Dairy Flat had so many near misses every few seconds. I see that the intersection has many approach lanes but I wonder what the phasing will be and how much throughput each cycle !

[Nigel C]

Originally Posted by Rod Sloan

Grade separation and a flyover would have been a MUCH better option. Stupid ACT Govt !!!

There would be one major factor which would have knocked any better options on the head, and that's money. If it was planned, then who was going to pay for it? Federal or Territory Governments?

[Andrew M]

Originally Posted by Rod Sloan

Replacing a roundabout with lights on what is an extremely busy intersection. What a fantastic idea, Who ever came up with this idea is a moron. Grade separation and a flyover would have been a MUCH better option. Stupid ACT Govt !!!

Traffic lights are always the next step up from a roundabout, happens all over Australia.

Yes a flyover would be great, but who is going to pay for that ?

Traffic lights are a good fix for 5-10 years before worrying about the next upgrade !

[Rod Sloan]

Originally Posted by Nigel C

There would be one major factor which would have knocked any better options on the head, and that's money. If it was planned, then who was going to pay for it? Federal or Territory Governments?

My understanding is that the Federal Govt is/was coughing up some of the dough for these upgrades. I'm happy to be corrected though.

Near misses on the old roundabout were generally caused by drivers who don't know how to use them. And Canberra being full of roundabouts there seems to be a heck of a lot of drivers who fit this category.

[Stephen B]

Guys, there is going to be an overpass at the Morshead Dr, Pialligo Ave and Dairy Road intersection. If you check the plans for the area it's shown going right over the top.

Roundabouts were a nice toy, but Canberrans don't have a clue what to do with them. I'm annoyed at having to stop for lights, but it's a hell of a lot safer than having morons turning right from the left lane into the side of my car!

In other news, a Quantas baggage loader just blinked............

[Steve Jones]

Yes, the plan is for the Monaro Highway to be extended over the river, over that intersection with some sort of interchange and continue north past the Airport linking into the current Majura road somehwere north of the Airport (I think between the Airport and the VOR?). I believe where they're linking it to Majura road is designed to be a future interchange with a future Kowen parkway, when they put houses out that way. By that time, the Monaro Highway should be extended the full four lanes all the way to the Federal Highway.

I believe Federal Govt money is confirmed for this work, topped up by the ACT Govt. Construction due to start mid next year all going to plan, probably just as all the other roadworks around the Airport finally come to an end...!

[Todd Milton]

A Few small updates.

The new Aerobridge located at the Qantas end of the terminal is in Operation, and is called Gate 13.

The Cafe has closed and relocated to the old Security Screening point for Virgin and Tiger. They now serve no hot meals, only cold food. Hudson's has moved inbetween the Qantas Sales Desk and the Rental Car desks. This is because the Cafe has taken up their old spot.

The roadworks around the Airport are going well, and the lead roads to the overpass need to be sealed in the most part before being opened. Roundabout entry to Pialligo has been flattened, ready to become an intersection. Entry to the Airport is now via the new Offramp from the City, and still Via Brindabella Business Park for those coming from Queanbeyan it is still via Brindabella Business Park (AFAIK). This is classed as Stage 1A and should all be open and operational shortly.

[Steve Jones]

According to the Canberra Times, Canberra Airport is commencing a $14m construction of 3 new 737/A320 parking positions at the terminal.

Today is also the inaugural ADL-CBR flight on Tiger, with Virgin's CBR-HBA and CBR-TSV routes starting in just over a week's time.

[Steve Jones]

Media release:

Infrastructure and jobs now for Australia’s future

More than a third of a billion dollars will be invested and more than 1000 jobs created through developments at Canberra International Airport during the next three years.

Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, the Hon Anthony Albanese, Canberra Airport Chairman, Terry Snow and Canberra Airport Managing Director, Stephen Byron, today celebrated the launch of the Southern Concourse Terminal – the first stage of the “AirVolution” vision.

“Six months ago, as a result of the uncertainty caused by the Global Financial Crisis, this project was dead. Now, thanks to a number of factors including the Federal Government’s bank guarantee and 30% Investment Allowance, we are now able to move forward with confidence,” Mr Byron said.

“This means an investment of $350 million in Canberra Airport’s “AirVolution” which will see world-leading new aviation facilities and create 1350 jobs.

“And this infrastructure will deliver an economic boost into the future, driving growth in the tourism and transport economies, not only in the Canberra Region but throughout Australia as we come online with full international capabilities including immigration and customs by the end of 2012,” Mr Byron said.

Mr Byron said by the middle of next year, the things that have annoyed travellers about Canberra Airport would be gone.

“The long exposed walk to the carpark will be gone. Instead there will be a four-storey carpark with completely covered access to the terminal and no roads to cross allowing passengers to safely and swiftly move to and from their flights.

“The long taxi queues on a windswept footpath will be a thing of the past with Australia’s first fully enclosed taxi rank which will feature television screens and other amenities.

“Whether you live in Canberra or whether you are a visitor, the focus of this new airport is about the experience of our passengers and this new terminal will be the best in Australia and for its size probably the best in the world,” Mr Byron said.

The new carpark, apron hardstand to park more jets and the Southern Concourse Terminal will be completed by the middle of 2010. The remaining works including a new Western Concourse Terminal will be completed in 2012 subject to planning and finance approvals.

‘AirVolution’ – Key Facts

• The AirVolution represents an investment of $350 million by Canberra Airport in new aviation facilities

• 3 million passengers a year use Canberra Airport. Forecast growth of 4.2% pa will see this rise to 7.2million by 2029

• To accommodate current and future demand, Canberra Airport is embarking upon a series of key aviation infrastructure projects, collectively termed the Airport’s “AirVolution”

• The AirVolution comprises the following projects:
- New Airport Gateway Road Intersection (grade-separated) and Duplication – complete and open;
- 3 new jet aircraft parking positions – under construction;
- 2 Structured Car Parks (1200 undercover spaces each) – the first is under construction;
- A New Southern Concourse Terminal – launched today; and
- A Western Concourse Terminal – planned to commence late 2010 (subject to various approvals including finance)

• Airport construction will drive more than 350 jobs on-site, with a further 1000 off-site in the supply chain. Once complete, there will be an additional 300 jobs associated with ongoing operation of the Airport.

• The Airport is determined to see that these employment benefits are primarily local. Of the more than 100 suppliers, 80% are expected to be from the local Canberra-Queanbeyan region.

• Together, the AirVolution Projects will deliver:
- International capability with dedicated customs, immigration and quarantine facilities
- More than double the number of check-in counters (from 17 to 44)
- A tripling of baggage capacity
- A quadrupling of Airline Club Lounge areas
- A two storey roadside drop off and pick up system - departures on the upper level and arrivals on the lower level
- An indoor taxi rank waiting area – a first for an Australian airport
- The greenest, most carbon friendly terminal in Australia

• The Southern Concourse Terminal will incorporate Trigeneration Technology, which will reduce the building’s carbon emissions by 75% compared to the existing facility. Trigeneration generates electricity on site from gas and captures the waste heat to air-condition and heat the building.

• Other environmental initiatives include a 600,000 litre tank to capture all rainwater, recycled water for toilets and air-conditioning, solar utilisation, waste recycling, fuel reduction initiatives and low energy fittings.