Second long-term solution on the cards for airport traffic bottleneck

Bids received today for the Airport Link and Northern Busway from Windsor to Kedron could result in a second long-term solution for Brisbane’s traffic-saturated Airport Drive interchange.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the three groups bidding for the state’s largest transport projects had put forward proposals which would improve traffic flows to and from the airport.

“If viable, these proposals have the potential to provide a second solution to the very serious traffic congestion motorists frequently encounter when trying to reach or leave the airport.

“The first major relief will come with the Gateway Upgrade Project and Brisbane Airport’s new northern access road, which is projected to take up to 50,000 vehicles a day from the interchange by 2015,” Mr Pitt said.

“Motorists will start seeing these benefits from the end of 2009, when the first lanes of the Gateway Motorway deviation and the Northern Access Road are open.”

Mr Pitt said that in addition the Queensland Government had asked the three groups bidding for Airport Link to consider solutions for the airport roundabout, the Nudgee Road intersection and the East-West Arterial leading from near Sandgate Road to the airport.

“Each of the bidders was given the opportunity to include in their bids proposals to do this work, which at least in part would be funded by likely revenue increases resulting from more traffic using Airport Link because of the upgrade,” he said.

Bidders were not required to submit proposals for the additional work to fulfil the requirements of the request for proposals issued in June for the Airport Link and Northern Busway projects. However, the State Government had suggested it would be a logical step.

“Because both Airport Link and the roundabout connect to the East-West Arterial, any improvement in the operation of the roundabout and connecting roads would almost certainly boost the number of people using Airport Link,” Mr Pitt said.

“That’s why we suggested to the bidders that it would be logical for them to look at ways to improve traffic flow into and through this roundabout and the Nudgee Road intersection as well.”

The Queensland Government will now review the proposals and expects to identify a preferred bidder by the middle of next year

It remains to be seen if as a result of the assessment of bids, the winning bid includes the additional East-West Arterial integration project and the airport intersections.

Mr Pitt said that once Airport Link and the new Northern Access Road, linking Toombul Road and the airport (being built as part of the Gateway Upgrade Project) were completed, access to and from the airport and the Australia Trade Coast’s northern precinct would be greatly improved.

“The airport and the Australia Trade Coast area is a vital economic hub, not only for Brisbane but for the entire State,” he said.

“Improved access to this area will benefit all Queenslanders.”

While the potential secondary solution is being investigated, Main Roads is continuing to progress short-term solutions for the Airport Drive interchange through the Brisbane Airport Roundabout task force.

The task force is expected to provide several measures recommended to be implemented to the Queensland Government next week.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819