Motorists urged to take extra care during Gateway traffic switches

Motorists are being urged to pay extra attention to changed conditions in coming months as traffic is transferred onto new temporary lanes as part of construction for the Gateway Upgrade Project.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said changed traffic conditions on the motorway between Wynnum and Lytton roads would take effect from tonight (2 November), weather permitting, when traffic would be redirected to temporary lanes while existing lanes were reconstructed.

“Called traffic switching, this technique was used successfully during construction of the Wynnum Road upgrade, a separate early-works contract completed in July,” Mr Pitt said.

“Traffic switching is being used on the Gateway Upgrade Project to minimise impacts on motorists by ensuring that traffic keeps moving during construction and that there are no permanent lane closures.

“While these changes are in place there will be reduced speed limits on the motorway. I urge motorists to slow down and pay extra attention as they travel through this area.”

Deputy Premier, Minister for Infrastructure and Planning and Member for Lytton, Paul Lucas, said every effort was being made to minimise inconvenience to local motorists and Gateway traffic.

“With more than 100,000 vehicles using the motorway daily, it’s inevitable that an upgrade of the magnitude of the Gateway project will have an impact on traffic.

“This is the first in a series of traffic switches to allow road crews to get on with the job of building a wider, higher capacity motorway.

“One of the conditions of the project contract, awarded by Queensland Motorways in September 2006, is that two lanes of the Gateway Motorway remain open during peak periods with an 80km/h speed limit.

“The motorists of Lytton are already seeing the benefits of the upgrade with improvements to Wynnum Road and by December, the delivery of four lanes southbound from the Port of Brisbane Motorway to Wynnum Road.

“I urge motorists to be patient with the changed traffic conditions because the upgrade will be worth it in the long run,” Mr Lucas said.

The $1.88 billion project also includes the construction of a second six-lane Gateway Bridge and is a Queensland Government initiative being delivered by Queensland Motorways.

For more information about changed traffic conditions or the project, please contact freecall 1800 700 525 or visit the website at www.gatewayupgradeproject.com.au

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819