Minister for Main Roads
The Honourable Craig Wallace

Friday, July 17, 2009

Gateway Upgrade delivers seven kilometres of new motorway

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace today announced Brisbane’s newest piece of road infrastructure – the seven-kilometre motorway north of the Gateway Bridge – would officially open to traffic on Sunday.

On site today, Mr Wallace conveyed his excitement over the new section of Gateway Motorway, which would help ease congestion on the road network.

“This is a fantastic announcement for motorists, particularly those travelling between the Gateway Bridge and Nudgee Road.”

“This seven-kilometre section of motorway will provide a more direct route north of the Brisbane River, alleviating congestion on the existing motorway, while also enhancing access to the city.”

“Part of the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project, the motorway will also offer enhanced access to Eagle Farm and Pinkenba areas via a new off-ramp to Kingsford Smith Drive for motorists travelling north,” Mr Wallace said.

“The opening of the new motorway is part of the staged construction of the project, with further benefits to be realised when the new Airport Interchange (part of the Brisbane Airport internal access road) is completed and opened in late 2009.

“Until then, motorists will need to continue to use the existing Gateway Motorway to access the airport.

“In addition, when the Gateway Upgrade Project is completed by early 2011, motorists will experience the full benefits of improved travel between the Gateway bridges, Brisbane Airport and Nudgee Road.”

“The Gateway Upgrade Project, the largest road and bridge project in Queensland’s history, will have helped sustain about 6,000 direct and indirect jobs over the life of the project,” he said.

Mr Wallace said from Sunday, motorists travelling north would be able to access the new seven-kilometre Gateway Motorway from the Gateway Bridge, while motorists travelling south would access the new road just south of Nudgee Road, Banyo.

“Access to the existing Gateway Motorway will remain, but there will be some changes to lane configurations, particularly on the northern approach to the existing Gateway Bridge,” he said.

“Motorists will need to take note of changed traffic conditions north of the Gateway Bridge through to Nudgee and pay extra attention to directional signage.”

“Construction of the new Gateway Motorway began in March 2007, and includes the construction of 17 bridges, including structures over Lavarack Avenue, Kingsford Smith Drive and a 740-metre bridge over the Kedron Brook Floodplain.”

The $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project is a Bligh Government initiative being delivered by Queensland Motorways with design, construct and maintain contract by the Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture.

The project also involves 12 kilometres of upgrades to the Gateway Motorway south of the Brisbane River by early 2010 and duplication of the Gateway Bridge by mid-2010, which is currently progressing three months ahead of schedule.

Supporting the delivery of the Gateway Upgrade Project, the transition to free-flow tolling on the Gateway and Logan motorways commenced earlier this month and is set to also provide additional traffic flow and time saving benefits for motorists.

To learn more about the Gateway Upgrade Project, visit the project website for maps and photos of construction progress: www.gatewayupgradeproject.com.au


Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office 3896 3689

---