Sydney Airport in Australia has opened a new footbridge and cycleway at the Terminal 1 (T1) international precinct, providing improved safety and easier access for visitors and airport employees.
The new footbridge and cycleway connects the existing Alexandra Canal shared footpath and cycleway with the multi-story car park. The new bridge removes the need for pedestrians and cyclists to access the terminal precinct by crossing roads and the outdoor car park area.
Kerrie Mather, managing director and CEO, Sydney Airport, said, “Every day, up to 500 visitors and staff walk or cycle to and from the airport, and this new construction will provide a much-enhanced experience for them in terms of both safety and convenience. With around 29,000 people working at more than 800 businesses on-airport, it will also encourage more airport staff to walk or cycle to work, taking cars off the road.
“Sydney Airport is committed to promoting active and healthy lifestyles for airport workers and the community in general, and reducing the airport’s impact on the local environment. Initiatives such as the new footbridge play an important part in our ability to do that.”
Melinda Pavey, New South Wales (NSW) minister for roads, maritime and freight, said, “This is a great development for the many active transport users who access Sydney Airport on foot or by bike. The new facility at T1 complements the NSW government’s recent work to improve the shared pedestrian and cycle path along Marsh Street.”
The project forms part of a five-year program of ground access upgrades, a joint initiative by Sydney Airport and the Australian and NSW governments. The upgrades are designed to improve traffic flows for motorists, provide better access for public and active transport users, and make it easier for everyone to travel to and from the airport across all transport modes.
Included as part of the project was the reconfiguration of an area in the P7 car park to provide a dedicated bike storage area, with purpose-designed racks for a total of 97 visitor and staff bikes.