RP Infrastructure

The Terminal 2 (T2) 8th Baggage Reclaim project is the beginning of a sequence of expansion and improvement works being undertaken at Melbourne Airport’s International Terminal. Driven by an increasing number of passengers using the terminal this project forms an integral piece of infrastructure to accommodate the airport’s growth whilst enhancing the overall passenger experience.

Project Overview

In order for the commissioning of the T2 8th baggage reclaim carousel to occur, significant reconfiguration of the existing arrivals hall and surrounding areas was required. This included reducing the lift and stair core by removing a portion at the bottom – knee-capping it – without its structural integrity being affected, and the demolition of the existing arrivals hall. Furthermore, a major plant room and the back-of-house offices occupied by the Australian Border Force had to be relocated to elsewhere within the terminal building. The project also included installation of the associated back-of-house baggage conveyors necessary for the new 155m baggage carousel and an 85m wide LED digital wall.

The new baggage carousel increases passenger throughput by 15 percent, relieving considerable pressure on the airport’s capacity to process passengers during the morning and evening peaks.

Our Role

RP Infrastructure was appointed in 2016 to provide project management services to drive completion of the Schematic and Detailed Design phases under an accelerated program.

RP Infrastructure administered and superintended the construction Contract between John Holland and Melbourne Airport, whilst also facilitating effective communication between the project’s stakeholders to ensure disruptions to Melbourne Airport’s operations were kept to a minimum.

Key Challenge

The most significant challenge the project team faced was knee-capping the structural lift core and stair. Root Partnerships worked closely with Melbourne Airport, John Holland, AECOM and their team of engineers to ensure there was minimal movement within the building between the transfer of loads from the temporary propping to the new steel beams.