Getting in and out of Melbourne Airport is about to get a whole lot easier, with the $500 million Naarm Way project hitting two major construction milestones that will overhaul how passengers access Terminals 1, 2 and 3.

The massive redevelopment is designed to deliver smoother pick-ups and drop-offs, and recent progress brings those improvements a significant step closer. The first milestone involves a new three-lane express ramp connecting the Tullamarine Freeway directly to the airport's upcoming free pick-up and drop-off zones. The final Super-T beam, one of 162 weighing a total of nearly 10,000 tonnes, about 50 jumbo jets' worth of steel, was lifted into place last week, marking a key stage in the new T123 transport hub.

Over at the terminal forecourt, Melbourne Airport's largest pedestrian bridge is now structurally complete. Once open, the 19-metre-wide bridge will be the main link between the terminals and the new transport hub, eliminating the need for passengers to navigate traffic whilst carrying luggage.

Progress comes with some temporary adjustments, with around 2,000 carpark bays temporarily removed to make way for construction. From November 3, parking rates are set to increase slightly to manage demand, with drive-up rates ranging from $16 per day in the value car park to $99 for valet. However, Chief of Ground Transport Jai McDermott maintains that Melbourne Airport remains "Australia's best value capital city airport," with online bookings starting from as low as $14 per day.

According to McDermott, Naarm Way represents "the biggest change to how passengers come to the airport since we opened in 1970". Once complete, the upgrade is expected to double pick-up and drop-off capacity and cut peak-hour wait times by up to 28 minutes by 2029. The project will also free up valuable space for an international terminal expansion, supporting the airport's long-term growth strategy.

The new pick-up and drop-off zones are slated to open in the second half of 2026. Until then, the 60-minute free wait zone remains available for passengers looking for stress-free airport transfers. The Naarm Way project represents a significant investment in Victoria's transport infrastructure and will modernise the airport experience for millions of travellers whilst supporting Melbourne's status as a major aviation hub for domestic and international visitors.

Source: Time Out Melbourne