Ballina Shire Council has announced the start of construction of Airport Boulevard, the new entrance road to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport.
‘The new road will provide an impressive entrance to the Ballina Byron Gateway Airport,’ said Ballina Mayor David Wright. ‘It will also unlock future proposed expansion of the Southern Cross Industrial Estate.
‘The works will begin on Southern Cross Drive, near the entrance to the airport, where the first roundabout will be built,’ said Cr Wright.
Traffic detours will be in place at the airport during construction, which may restrict the flow of traffic through the airport precinct, including drop-off zones and car parking areas.
Possible delays
Ballina Council is urging the community to arrive at the airport earlier to avoid being inconvenienced by traffic delays and parking changes. During construction, traffic and parking arrangements at the airport will include:
- temporary closure of existing carpark entries/exits
- traffic detours via Southern Cross Drive
- no change to drop off/pick up location (out front of terminal)
- taxi rank and bus stop remain in same location, with changed direction to access.
Vehicles will access the construction site via Boeing Avenue. Access to the Ballina Homemaker Centre will remain as normal, however council are advising that the community should expect increased traffic in this area.
The project is estimated to cost $10 million and is made possible thanks to $3 million in Australian Government funding under the Community Development Grants Programme. Council will spend $7 million to meet the balance of the cost of the project.
Council anticipates that the entire Airport Boulevard project will be completed by November 2021, weather and site conditions permitting.
For more information about this project, Ballina Council has established a website about Airport Boulevard here.
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