An Australian city is set to get a second major airport that it is hoped will transform the economy of its western side.
A £2.7bn Western Sydney International (WSI) is under construction 30 miles west of the famous city centre after the site, called Badgerys Creek, was first identified about 30 years ago.
The project is being funded by the Australian federal government, in the hope it will be a catalyst for economic growth and prosperity in Western Sydney, and better connectivity and further economic gains across the New South Wales capital.
The airport, which will be named after Australian aviator Nancy-Bird Walton, is set to open in late 2026 if current targets are met, with a full international flight service and domestic passenger facility.
The first phase of the airport will welcome 10 million passengers a year, but by 2060 it will be expanded to more than 80 million journeys annually with a significant air cargo operation.
The 2.2-mile runway can accommodate all commercial planes with CAT III-B technology.
This is a navigation system which allows landings in visibility of 164ft minimum, meaning misty conditions will have less impact. It will also not be subject to night-time curfews like the city’s existing airport.
The terminal was designed by architect Zaha Hadid and Sydney-based architecture firm Cox.
It is meant to show Australia’s unique landscapes over the 1,780ha site which is nearly twice the size of Sydney’s existing Kingsford Smith Airport.
The fact the runway pavement needed 120,000m3 of concrete and asphalt and 3,000 aeronautical ground lights shows the scale of the first phase.
WSI CEO Simon Hickey, told Newcivilengineer.com: “We are building a once-in-a-generation, modern international gateway that will deliver a simple, seamless and efficient experience for passengers and airlines.
“Airports are proven to drive economic growth and bring job-creating investment into a region. WSI is driving the creation of thousands of quality long-term jobs across the region and has already been the catalyst for more than A$15bn [£7.7bn] of investment in supporting road, rail and social infrastructure by the Australian and NSW governments.”
A spokesperson for the scheme added that it will be the first Australian airport to open with purpose-built rail and road infrastructure networks jointly funded by the New South Wales state government and the Australian federal government.
A new M12 motorway eight miles long and 14-mile Sydney Metro Airport Line are already under construction, to further boost the western edge of the city.
Further plans in the areas include 10,000 new homes and an expected 20,000 new jobs for new planned industries.
