SYDNEY AIRPORT IMPROVES CYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN ACCESS TO TERMINAL 1

Sydney Airport has officially opened a new footbridge and cycleway at the T1 International precinct, providing improved safety and easier access into the precinct for active transport users.

The new footbridge and cycleway connects the existing Alexandra Canal shared footpath and cycleway with the P7 multi-storey car park, enabling seamless, elevated access for pedestrians and cyclists from the Cooks River shared path to the T1 terminal.

The new bridge removes the need for pedestrians and cyclists to access the terminal precinct by crossing roads and the outdoor car park area.

Sydney Airport’s managing Director and CEO, Kerrie Mather, said the new infrastructure was a key part of the airport’s continuing commitment to make it easier for everyone, including pedestrians and cyclists, to get to and from the airport. 

“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,” noted Mather.

“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.”

The NSW Minister for Roads, Maritime and Freight, Melinda Pavey, said the opening of the new footbridge and cycleway would be welcomed by all pedestrians and cyclists using the airport.

“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 programme 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.

Sydney Airport’s works are one year ahead of schedule and are expected to be completed by mid-2018.

The new T1 footbridge and cycleway extends for 350 metres between the Cooks River shared path and Level 1 of the P7 multi-storey car park. The construction is 3.8 metres wide and at its highest is 6 metres above ground.

All the major steel components of the structure were manufactured in Albury in southern NSW.

One of the biggest challenges in building the new facility was to ensure that airport operations were free from disruption at all times, and particularly when the pre-fabricated steel sections – each weighing several tonnes – were craned into place.

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. 

“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,” added Mather.