Current projects

The new APAC Drive on-ramp is an additional entry to the Tullamarine Freeway from Melbourne Airport - and is just one of the many ways we are improving traffic flow at Melbourne Airport.

The APAC Drive on-ramp is an elevated road passing over the Melbourne Airport's long term car park (LTCP), and over all lanes of the Tullamarine Freeway. The new two-lane APAC Drive on-ramp will then merge into the Tullamarine Freeway - travelling towards the city.  Construction commenced in July 2011 and is expected to run until July 2012.  The APAC Drive on-ramp is budgeted at $26 million. 

The APAC Drive on-ramp will improve access to Tullamarine Freeway from Melbourne Airport and will reduce congestion throughout the airport’s road network.  Traffic congestion will be eased on roads such as Centre Road, Terminal Drive, Melbourne Drive and Melrose Drive including the main intersections of Terminal and Centre Roads. 

The APAC Drive on-ramp also provides additional road capacity for airport growth and is consistent with the Melbourne Airport Master Plan 2008.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the APAC Drive on-ramp?
The APAC Drive on-ramp is an elevated road passing over the Melbourne Airport long-term car park and the city and airport bound lanes of Tullamarine Freeway.  The on-ramp merges with Tullamarine Freeway as a two-lane on-ramp for the city bound lanes prior to Mickelham Road.  Overall, the on-ramp is 1.5 km long.

Why is Melbourne Airport constructing the new APAC on-ramp?
Melbourne Airport is growing and the new APAC Drive on-ramp to Tullamarine Freeway will help to improve traffic flow throughout the airport precinct.

What else is Melbourne Airport doing to improve traffic flow?
Melbourne Airport is investing over $1 billion in infrastructure developments over the next five years to improve our road networks and our terminal facilities and make sure that we can accommodate the growing number of people who use Melbourne Airport now and in the future.

How will a new entry to the freeway ease congestion throughout the rest of the airport precinct?
As a new entry to Tullamarine Freeway, traffic from the southern end of the terminal will no longer need to use Melrose Drive or go in front of the terminal itself.  Traffic studies indicate that around 15 per cent of traffic will use the APAC Drive on-ramp.  That’s around 7,000 less cars around the terminal precinct or on Melrose Drive.

How does the APAC Drive on-ramp link with other developments at the airport?
Melbourne Airport is investing over $1 billion in infrastructure developments over the next five years to improve our road networks and our terminal facilities.  All these developments, including the APAC Drive on-ramp, are aligned with our long-term vision as outlined in the Master Plan and Ground Transportation Plan. 

Additional road improvement programs include the development of Airport Drive which will improve access to the Western Ring Road and improving the efficiency of the roads in front of and to the south of the terminal.

Where will APAC Drive on-ramp be located?
The APAC Drive on-ramp is an extension of the current APAC Drive, will go over the long term car park, and the city and airport bound lanes of Tullamarine Freeway.  The on-ramp the merges with Tullamarine Freeway as a two-lane on-ramp for the city bound lanes prior to Mickelham Road. 

How long will it take to build?
Construction of the APAC Drive on-ramp has commenced and is scheduled to be completed in July 2012.  Construction is being staged to minimise impacts to passengers, motorists and the local community. 

Will there be road delays or closures during construction?
While most of the construction for the APAC Drive on-ramp will occur within Melbourne Airport boundaries and not impede traffic flow, there will be some impact on traffic using the Tullamarine Freeway when the bridge spans are installed over the freeway

We will work closely with local and state authorities to keep passengers, motorists and the local community informed about specific road construction and any impacts on traffic on Tullamarine Freeway. 

How can I find out when there is a road closure?
The number of lane and road closures are being minimised through the phased construction program.  Laneway or road closures are also being scheduled for off-peak times. 
We will advise of specific lane or road closures and expected impacts to traffic closer to the actual dates of closures. 

How do I get to the airport when Tullamarine Freeway is closed?
Tullamarine Freeway will only be closed during off-peak times and for limited times to minimise disruptions. There will be clear diversion in place with signs to direct motorists to alternate routes. 

Can I still park in the long term car park?
Absolutely, Melbourne Airport long term car park will be open through construction.  And although the construction zone is utilising some of the car parks, there are still 12,320 car bays available.

Will my car be damaged if I park in the long term car park?
By following instructions on where to park in the long term car park, your car won’t be affected by the construction activity. The construction zone within the long term car park is completely enclosed within a secure fenced area.

What about the shuttle bus to/from the long term car park?
The shuttle bus will remain operating throughout construction.  The route of the shuttle bus will alter slightly at various stages throughout construction however no bus stops will be closed.

How will the construction works impact on local residents?
As the majority of construction is occurring within the Melbourne Airport long term car park or within the Tullamarine Freeway reserve, the construction works will have limited direct impact on local residents.  However during construction, regular users of Terminal Drive and Tullamarine Freeway (city and airport bound) will be subject to a reduced speed limit.  At limited off-peak times, the Tullamarine Freeway and the emergency lane will be closed.  There will be diversion in place however we recommend that people allow extra time for your journey at that stage of the project.

Ultimately, local residents will benefit from the additional entry to Tullamarine Freeway, taking airport traffic off Melrose Drive.

Does Melbourne Airport have approval to build the APAC Drive on-ramp?
Yes.  The APAC Drive On-ramp was included in Melbourne Airport’s 2008 Master Plan as a critical piece of transport infrastructure.  The Master Plan is approved by the Federal Government.

In addition, a formal Major Development Plan (MDP) for the APAC Drive on-ramp was completed in 2010.  As part of the MDP process, we have worked with a range of stakeholders including State Government, Local Government and Vic Roads. 

There are a lot of trees along the freeway, are any trees being removed to build APAC on-ramp?
Yes, trees are required to be removed and this has been approved following an environmental assessment impact as part of the MDP.

The environmental assessment identified that it was necessary to remove some trees to construct the APAC Drive on-ramp.  Of the trees identified for removal, the environmental assessment deemed that none were considered to be of significant flora and fauna value and a tree removal permit was granted. 

We are working with an arborist and our contractors to minimise the number of trees that need to be removed with a final number yet to be determined.  To off-set the removal of the trees, Melbourne Airport will contribute approximately $70,000 towards Melbourne Airport’s tree replacement fund. 

How does the local community benefit from this project?
The APAC Drive on-ramp provides all members of the local community with an additional entry to Tullamarine Freeway.  The on-ramp was also designed specifically to improve traffic flow throughout the airport precinct which in turn assists in redirecting traffic from other roads such as Melrose Drive by creating a new exit to the Tullamarine Freeway from the airport precinct.