Published Friday, 09 March, 2007 at 04:51 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Deputy Premier, Treasurer and Minister for Infrastructure
The Honourable Anna Bligh
$1.88 BILLION GATEWAY UPGRADE PROJECT UNDERWAY
Premier Peter Beattie flicked a switch today to officially start work on Queensland’s largest ever road and bridge construction project, the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade.
In a variation on the traditional sod-turning ceremony, Mr Beattie remotely started a massive pile-driving machine to begin excavating the first of a series of test holes being driven into the riverbank at the site of the second Gateway Bridge.
“The test holes will provide information the contractors need to construct the massive pylons that will support the new bridge that is scheduled to open in August 2010,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is the start of another massive infrastructure project to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and economy in South-East Queensland.”
The Gateway Upgrade Project includes:
• Construction of a duplicate six-lane bridge which includes a dedicated pedestrian/cycle way to be completed by late 2010. Once completed the existing Gateway Bridge will be refurbished with both bridges fully open by mid 2011.
• A new six-lane deviation through the old and existing airport sites from Gateway Bridge to a new airport interchange, then four lanes to Nudgee Road. Four lanes will open by mid 2009 with all lanes by late 2010.
• Upgrade from Wynnum Road to Lytton Road from four lanes to eight lanes, with two additional lanes between the Port of Brisbane Motorway and Wynnum Road opening in late 2007. All lanes open by late 2009.
• Upgrade from Mt Gravatt –Capalaba Road to Wynnum Road from four to six lanes with all lanes open to traffic by late 2009.
“The government was committed to progressively opening new work associated with the upgrade to ensure motorists enjoyed the benefits as soon as possible,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said project contractor, Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture would adopt an innovative construction method known as match casting to deliver time savings.
“The alternative construction method for the approach sections of the new bridge will see huge concrete segments pre-cast in sequence on the ground and then lifted to bridge level using an 800 tonne gantry crane,” Mr Beattie said.
“This innovative approach is designed to keep work ahead of schedule.”
The Gateway Upgrade Project, being delivered by Queensland Motorways in partnership with the Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture, is the largest road and bridge infrastructure project yet to begin construction in Queensland.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh, also onsite at the start of construction, said the economic benefits derived from the project were enormous, with more than 5,000 jobs being created and massive flow-on effects into the local economy.
“In addition, the project is critical in supporting the continued growth of Australia TradeCoast, which contributes more than $4.3 billion annually to the Queensland economy and generates five per cent of total employment for the Brisbane area.”
The project is set to see 20 kilometres of the Gateway Motorway from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to Nudgee Road upgraded, including a new deviation through the old and new airport sites, providing a second access to the Brisbane Airport.
Ms Bligh said motorists will also notice huge differences in travel times.
“For example, motorists can expect reduced travel time of 15 minutes on a trip from Rochedale to Brisbane Airport, and a 10 minute saving from Caboolture to the Port of Brisbane during peak periods,” Ms Bligh said.
“Motorists will also benefit from the introduction of multi-lane, free-flow tolling and the removal of all toll booths. This will create a quicker, easier and safer travel experience for motorists.
“It’s about providing non-stop travel along the Gateway Motorway.”
When completed the existing bridge will carry six lanes of traffic northbound and the new bridge will carry six lanes of traffic southbound.
The new Gateway Bridge will also include a pedestrian and bicycle facility with viewing platforms to provide a further opportunity to enjoy views to the east to the Airport and Moreton Bay and west to Brisbane City.
New lighting, designed to mirror and accentuate the shape of the Gateway Bridge, will be installed on both bridges, further enhancing one of the most recognisable symbols of Queensland.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s office 3224 4379
9 March 2007
In a variation on the traditional sod-turning ceremony, Mr Beattie remotely started a massive pile-driving machine to begin excavating the first of a series of test holes being driven into the riverbank at the site of the second Gateway Bridge.
“The test holes will provide information the contractors need to construct the massive pylons that will support the new bridge that is scheduled to open in August 2010,” Mr Beattie said.
“This is the start of another massive infrastructure project to meet the demands of a rapidly growing population and economy in South-East Queensland.”
The Gateway Upgrade Project includes:
• Construction of a duplicate six-lane bridge which includes a dedicated pedestrian/cycle way to be completed by late 2010. Once completed the existing Gateway Bridge will be refurbished with both bridges fully open by mid 2011.
• A new six-lane deviation through the old and existing airport sites from Gateway Bridge to a new airport interchange, then four lanes to Nudgee Road. Four lanes will open by mid 2009 with all lanes by late 2010.
• Upgrade from Wynnum Road to Lytton Road from four lanes to eight lanes, with two additional lanes between the Port of Brisbane Motorway and Wynnum Road opening in late 2007. All lanes open by late 2009.
• Upgrade from Mt Gravatt –Capalaba Road to Wynnum Road from four to six lanes with all lanes open to traffic by late 2009.
“The government was committed to progressively opening new work associated with the upgrade to ensure motorists enjoyed the benefits as soon as possible,” Mr Beattie said.
Mr Beattie said project contractor, Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture would adopt an innovative construction method known as match casting to deliver time savings.
“The alternative construction method for the approach sections of the new bridge will see huge concrete segments pre-cast in sequence on the ground and then lifted to bridge level using an 800 tonne gantry crane,” Mr Beattie said.
“This innovative approach is designed to keep work ahead of schedule.”
The Gateway Upgrade Project, being delivered by Queensland Motorways in partnership with the Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture, is the largest road and bridge infrastructure project yet to begin construction in Queensland.
Deputy Premier Anna Bligh, also onsite at the start of construction, said the economic benefits derived from the project were enormous, with more than 5,000 jobs being created and massive flow-on effects into the local economy.
“In addition, the project is critical in supporting the continued growth of Australia TradeCoast, which contributes more than $4.3 billion annually to the Queensland economy and generates five per cent of total employment for the Brisbane area.”
The project is set to see 20 kilometres of the Gateway Motorway from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to Nudgee Road upgraded, including a new deviation through the old and new airport sites, providing a second access to the Brisbane Airport.
Ms Bligh said motorists will also notice huge differences in travel times.
“For example, motorists can expect reduced travel time of 15 minutes on a trip from Rochedale to Brisbane Airport, and a 10 minute saving from Caboolture to the Port of Brisbane during peak periods,” Ms Bligh said.
“Motorists will also benefit from the introduction of multi-lane, free-flow tolling and the removal of all toll booths. This will create a quicker, easier and safer travel experience for motorists.
“It’s about providing non-stop travel along the Gateway Motorway.”
When completed the existing bridge will carry six lanes of traffic northbound and the new bridge will carry six lanes of traffic southbound.
The new Gateway Bridge will also include a pedestrian and bicycle facility with viewing platforms to provide a further opportunity to enjoy views to the east to the Airport and Moreton Bay and west to Brisbane City.
New lighting, designed to mirror and accentuate the shape of the Gateway Bridge, will be installed on both bridges, further enhancing one of the most recognisable symbols of Queensland.
Media inquiries: Premier’s office 3224 4500
Deputy Premier’s office 3224 4379
9 March 2007