Work on airport road takes off
THE entry to Townsville Airport is getting an upgrade.
The airport has announced the start of work after awarding a $2.9 million contract to local construction company Shamrock Civil. The project involves the extension of Meenan St to meet John Melton Black Drive which will become the main entry and exit point to the airport.
Landscaping will be carried out along the road.
WORK to streamline the road entry to Townsville Airport and reduce congestion on surrounding residential streets is beginning.
The airport has announced the start of work after awarding a $2.9 million contract to local construction company Shamrock Civil.
The project involves the extension of Meenan St to meet John Melton Black Drive which will become the main entry and exit point to the airport.
Landscaping and planting of large trees will be done along the road to provide an attractive avenue for people arriving and departing the city. Drainage works will also be undertaken, improving the existing run-off capability of the land directly behind homes backing onto the Meenan St reserve.
Townsville Airport chief operating officer Kevin Gill said the entry work was an important element in the overall plans for the redevelopment of the airport and would significantly improve traffic flow. “By joining Meenan St with John Melton Black Drive, airport users will have a more direct, appropriate and attractive entry into Townsville Airport, providing a significant improvement for vehicles seeking to access the airport,” he said.
“This will also result in less interaction between pedestrians and vehicles around the terminal, creating a safer environment for all road users.”
Works are expected to be delivered from mid-october to late May 2020.
Mr Gill said residents in the surrounding area had been contacted and would be updated about any potential impact during the construction. He said the work would be scheduled to minimise disruption. When the project is complete, entry to the airport via Halifax St will be blocked with the erection of an automatic gate system with the road only open to residents and emergency services.
Funding for the project is being delivered by Townsville Airport and through the Federal Government’s Building Better Regions fund, which Townsville City Council applied for. A $1.2 million grant was announced last year.
Earlier this year the Federal Government announced it had committed up to $50 million through the Northern Australia Infrastructure Facility for a major redevelopment at Townsville Airport.
The redevelopment includes a refurbishment to the terminal to double the capacity of the departure lounge area, better road access, and an expansion and upgrade of the airport’s apron to provide more aircraft parking.