Riverside Expressway opens early after resurfacing

Brisbane's Riverside Expressway is open again to traffic after this weekend’s resurfacing works finished ahead of schedule, Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas said this morning.

Mr Lucas said that good progress on the stretch being resurfaced, from Herschel Street to the Victoria Bridge, near the top of Queen St, meant it had opened to traffic late last night – more than a day ahead of schedule.

"The good progress made last weekend and over the last few days means that almost 85% of the work is now complete,” Mr Lucas said.

"The works this weekend included removing and replacing asphalt on the stretch from Herschel Street to Victoria Bridge and marking new lines. It means that all work on the Riverside Expressway southbound is now complete."

Mr Lucas said that, while there were again some traffic delays, they had been kept to a minimum.

"The start of works last weekend took some people by surprise, despite a large-scale awareness campaign carried out by Main Roads," Mr Lucas said.

"The attention that this generated, as well as further advertising, meant that drivers were more prepared for the works and used alternative routes. Thank you to those motorists who did use the alternative routes that were advertised, because they helped reduce delays."

Mr Lucas said the final works scheduled for the project, from Friday, 13 October, to Monday, 16 October, would involve resurfacing a stretch of the Riverside Expressway northbound between the Victoria Bridge and the William Jolly Bridge and may impact ramps between Alice St and Herschell St inclusive.

Mr Lucas said Main Roads would revise its traffic management plans in light of the ahead-of-schedule works and release details by the end of the week about which northbound on and off-ramps would be closed during the final stage of work.

“Main Roads is meeting this week to determine which ramps will need to be closed but they will be trying to keep closures to a minimum.”

"We're not doing works next weekend for two reasons - next weekend marks the end of school holidays, and a capacity crowd is expected to attend the Socceroos vs Paraguay match at Suncorp Stadium on Friday night," Mr Lucas said.

"I'd ask motorists to again plan ahead for the final closures. We are continuing to work with police and other agencies to minimise disruptions to motorists, but people who will be affected by the final closure should start planning their journeys now. I'd encourage them to consider public transport if they travel to and from the Brisbane CBD.

"Again, the final weekend's work will cause some inconvenience. When it's done, the $5 million resurfacing project will mean a smoother ride and a surface that should last for another 30 years."

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge  0419 757 868