Major lifting works for Melbourne Airport’s $500 million Naarm Way project have reached a significant milestone, with the final Super-T beam for a new express ramp now in place.
Construction teams have lifted 162 Super-T beams into position to connect a new three-lane express ramp from the Tullamarine Freeway to the T123 transport hub. The beams stretch almost half a kilometre and weigh a combined 10,000 tonnes – equal to 50 fully loaded 747 jumbo jets.
These lifts are key to transforming access to Terminals 1, 2 and 3, with completion targeted for late next year.
In the forecourt area, crews have also installed the final module of what will be Melbourne Airport’s largest pedestrian bridge. The 19-metre-wide structure will provide the main link between the terminals and new Pick Up and Drop Off zones.
Parking capacity in the T123 car park has dropped by more than 2,000 spaces to allow for construction. The airport has also outlined changes to drive-up parking rates, which come into effect from Monday, 3 November.
Melbourne Airport Chief of Ground Transport, Property and Retail Jai McDermott said Melbourne remained Australia’s best-value capital city airport, with parking available from $14 a day.
“By simply booking online passengers can lock in the best rates from as low as $14 a day, which is around a third of the cost you would pay at other capital city airports and even some regional airports,” he said.
“In recent years we’ve seen a big preference shift to parking over other modes of transport which has contributed to this surge in demand, and online bookings allow us to better manage capacity by giving us visibility over when people plan to arrive and depart.
“Naarm Way will be the biggest change to how passengers come to the airport since we opened in 1970 and it’s exciting to see the project taking shape.
“Our traffic modelling shows that without our new road network, passengers would be waiting an additional 28 minutes in peak periods by 2029.
“The new Pick Up and Drop Off zones will double our capacity, making it easier for people to drop off and pick up friends and family from Melbourne Airport.
“Relocating drop off and pick up into the T123 transport hub also allows us to commence a much-needed expansion of our international terminal out into the forecourt.”
The new Pick Up and Drop Off zones are due to open in the second half of 2026.
Drive-up parking changes (per 24-hour period)
• Value: $14 → $16
• T123: $54 → $59
• T4: No change
• Premium T123: $84 → $89
• Premium T4: $84 → $89
• Valet: $84 → $99
• 60-minute free wait zone remains available