Sydney Airport today opened three new lanes for traffic entering the T2/T3 Domestic precinct, widening Sir Reginald Ansett Drive from two lanes to five.

The changes, effective from 6am today, provide increased capacity for traffic entering the precinct and will help ease traffic flows at the intersection of Ross Smith Avenue and Sir Reginald Ansett Drive.

The new lanes form part of the latest stage of Sydney Airport’s five-year ground access improvements initiative, a joint $500 million investment with the NSW Government designed to make it easier for motorists, users of public transport, cyclists and pedestrians to travel to and from the airport.

From this morning, motorists entering the precinct from Qantas Drive, O’Riordan Street and Joyce Drive will use one of four lanes bypassing traffic signals at Ross Smith Avenue, while motorists turning left onto Ross Smith Avenue will use a dedicated left turn lane.

The Ross Smith Avenue intersection also includes a new, dedicated bus ‘jump’ lane that will give green traffic light priority for buses turning into the precinct from Ross Smith Avenue. The bus lane is prohibited for use by private motorists, taxis and other vehicles, except emergency vehicles.

New road signage will direct motorists into and through the expanded precinct entrance, and guide them into the correct lanes for T2 and T3 Arrivals and Departures, pick-up zones and car parks.

Today’s opening will be followed by the completion of further improvements in 2017, with construction already underway on the following projects:

A new entry from Marsh Street to the T1 International precinct to provide direct access for motorists to Centre Road and terminal car parks; An elevated, shared pedestrian/cycle path at T1, linking the Alexandra Canal pedestrian/cycle path seamlessly with the P7 car park. The path provides safer access to T1 for pedestrians and cyclists, including the many airport workers who ride or walk to work; and A new, dedicated exit road from T1 Departures Road and Arrivals Court onto Airport Drive. Sydney Airport asks motorists to exercise care when driving into the T2/T3 precinct under the new traffic arrangements, and to observe all signage and speed limits.

ABOUT SYDNEY AIRPORT

Sydney Airport is Australia’s gateway airport, serving over 42 million passengers a year and connecting Sydney to a network of close to 100 international, domestic and regional destinations.

Located just eight kilometres from the city centre, Sydney Airport contributes $30.8 billion in economic activity a year, equivalent to 6.4 per cent of the NSW economy. Sydney Airport is a major employer in NSW, generating more than 306,700 direct and indirect jobs, equivalent to 8.9 per cent of NSW employment. Some 29,000 of these jobs are at the airport itself.