Dash 8-200
Flight Crew Air Transport Pilot (ATP)
Flight Crew Last 90 Days 300; Flight Crew Total 3600
Communication Breakdown; Confusion; Situational Awareness; Distraction
Deviation / Discrepancy - Procedural Clearance; Ground Incursion Taxiway
Air Traffic Control Issued Advisory / Alert; Air Traffic Control Issued New Clearance
Airport; Human Factors; Procedure
My First Officer received ATIS information 'V' and called for our clearance. After a bit of a delay due to operations issues we closed the cabin doors; I called Dispatch momentarily and then we started the engines; ran our checklist and called for a taxi clearance. We were issued 'Taxi Runway 10; E and A'. As I was beginning the right turn out of the gate Ground Control told us to use caution for company to our right. I saw our company aircraft to our immediate right (with little room to spare and jet bridge congestion) and continued our taxi straight ahead onto D. As soon as I did this I realized my error. Our instructions were to take E and A.Before I could call Ground Control he contacted us and told us we had taxied onto a closed taxiway. I was not aware of the closure because the ATIS or NOTAMs did not state the taxiway was closed nor did the Controller alert us to a new ATIS issuance when we requested taxi. The only taxi closures listed on the ATIS V and that were briefed on the flight deck were 'F north of A; A between G and C; and Taxiway C'. There was no way our aircraft could have entered onto E with our company aircraft and jet bridge congestion on E as well. We were issued new taxi instructions which were 'M; B; A to Runway 10.' Better ATC Communications; including updated ATIS and NOTAMs would have helped avoid this event. With a closure on a taxiway that is frequently used for our company's outbound aircraft (typically we are told to exit D and proceed on M; B and A) perhaps a verbal reminder from Ground or some markings; cones; lights; etc. indicating a closure would have been helpful and alerted me prior to committing my error. In closing I recognize my mistake and in the future will exercise more vigilance.
When confronted with congestion on their cleared taxi route for takeoff; the Captain of a DHC-8 reverted to a frequent taxi route usually provided by ATC when Taxiway Delta wasn't closed; however; today it was and an incursion ensued. Ground Control reminded them and provided an alternative clearance.