Work on the $1.3 billion upgrade of the Tullamarine Freeway will start this year.
The state government last week called for expressions of interest to build the airport end of the project from Bulla Road.
Tender documents for the eight-kilometre section between the airport and Bulla Road are due to be advertised mid-year.
Meanwhile, works to widen the freeway between Power Street at Southbank and Bulla Road will start in October.
The upgrade was first promised by former premier Denis Napthine and Prime Minister Tony Abbott in the run-up to last year’s state election.
Once work is completed, travel times between the city and the airport will be reduced by 16 minutes on average in the morning peak and 17 minutes in the evening peak, according to the state government.
The freeway will be widened to six lanes and this part of the project will be delivered in two sections.
Leighton Contractors won the contract with Transurban to build the first section between Bulla Road and Power Street. VicRoads will manage the second section between the airport and Bulla Road.
Star Weekly asked Melbourne Airport chief executive Chris Woodruff last week whether the airport corporation would consider partially funding the Melbourne airport rail link, a project Mr Woodruff said in February had fallen off the political agenda since the election.
The question was, however, rebuffed. “We understand the current priority is the Melbourne Metro Rail project,” an airport spokeswoman said.
