Planning starts for southern Gateway Motorway upgrade

The Queensland Government is continuing plans to make travelling on the Gateway Motorway safer and easier, with a $4 million planning study to upgrade the motorway at its southern end.

Minister for Main Roads and Local Government Warren Pitt today announced the start of planning for an upgrade of the motorway between Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road and the Pacific Motorway.

"This new planning study will investigate widening this section of the motorway and upgrading interchanges with the Pacific Motorway, Miles Platting Road and Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road," Mr Pitt said.

"The planned improvements will target road safety and congestion on the motorway, which now carries more than 72,000 vehicles a day.

"We are looking at making it easier for people to get on and off the motorway, providing better pedestrian and cycle facilities in the area and improving access for buses.

"This is a significant project and the community is encouraged to help us shape the planning by getting involved in public displays starting 8 October 2007."

The planning study is the first of two projects to upgrade the southern and northern sections of the Gateway Motorway. The second planning study for the Gateway Motorway from Nudgee to the Bruce Highway will start later this year.

“South East Queensland is now Australia’s fastest growing urban area. By 2026 more than one million extra people are expected to live here, which means around five million more trips each day," Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said local residents and motorists were now encouraged to give their input on the important issues and opportunities for the southern upgrade.

Newsletters and feedback forms have been delivered to 30,000 homes and businesses in the area, and people are also invited to attend public displays at local shopping centres and libraries this month.

The project team is also inviting members of the community to register their interest to join the project’s community reference group. The reference group will meet throughout the planning phase to advise the project team on key issues.

Public displays will be held from Monday 8 October to Monday 22 October at:

• Garden City Library, Westfield Garden City, corner of Logan and Kessels roads, Upper Mt Gravatt
• Mt Gravatt Village, 1932 Logan Road, Mt Gravatt
• Underwood Marketplace, corner of Beenleigh and Logan roads, Underwood.

People can speak with project team members at:

• Mt Gravatt Village on Thursday 11 October between 4 pm and 6 pm, and Saturday 20 October between 10 am and 12 noon
• Underwood Marketplace on Saturday 13 October between 10 am and 12 noon, and Thursday 18 October between 4 pm and 6 pm.

The first round of community feedback will close on Monday 22 October 2007, with further consultation to occur early next year.

More information about the planning study is also available on the Main Roads website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au or by contacting the project on freecall 1800 268 257 or email gatewaysouth@mainroads.qld.gov.au

Media contact:  Minister's office 3227 8819