High priority for measures to ease congestion at airport roundabout

The State Government will give high priority to implementing the recommendations of a task force formed to consider short term relief measures for traffic congestion at the Brisbane airport roundabout.

Releasing the task force’s report today, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the government would seek to implement all of the recommendations it contained.

Mr Pitt said he expected the actions recommended by the Task Force would deliver a modest yet worthwhile improvement to the operation of the airport roundabout.

“I don’t want to pretend that we have found the answer to what is a major traffic problem.

“There are two longer term solutions that will provide that answer, one of them under construction now – the Gateway Motorway upgrade and the new airport access route – which will begin to take effect in 18 months, and another on the drawing board.

“In the meantime, the Task Force has come up with a number of measures that will provide some short term relief from an improvement in the traffic flow through the roundabout.

“It is difficult to quantify by just how much – perhaps up to 15 per cent – but it is an improvement definitely worth pursuing.”

Mr Pitt said the government would immediately address one of the major recommendations, which was to upgrade and promote an alternative access route into and out of the airport precinct – the Lomandra Drive Sugarmill Road route.

“Brisbane Airport Corporation has already commenced work on improving traffic flow where Lomandra Drive intersects with Sugarmill Road.

“As early as tomorrow, Main Roads Department will advise motorists through signage at a number of locations on Kingsford Drive of the alternative route to the airport business precinct.

“Also, work will commence soon on upgrading the Sugarmill Road Kingsford Smith Drive intersection to give greater priority for traffic leaving the airport.”

Mr Pitt said, not unexpectedly, the Task Force had not come up with any solutions that would altogether eliminate congestion at the roundabout.

“I didn’t expect any magic fix. If there was one we would have been aware of it before now.”

Mr Pitt said the Task Force had re-affirmed that turning off the traffic lights installed at the roundabout four months ago was not, on safety grounds, a measure that could be supported.

Neither was constructing an overpass - a solution frequently put forward - a viable short-term measure. While a possible longer term solution, other changes – possibly including an overpass - would be in place in that time frame to substantially reduce the amount of traffic which otherwise would be using the roundabout.

“I know there are many people who say the traffic lights have worsened the situation, and they should be turned off.

“The Task Force has ruled this out, and I believe, rightly and responsibly so.

“Admittedly, the lights have added to delays on Airport Drive westbound, but they have also made a quantum difference to the safe operation of the roundabout, and have improved traffic flow on three of the four approaches.

“Before the lights were installed there was a serious traffic hazard from northbound vehicles queuing back along the motorway because of congestion at the Airport Drive exit. We simply could not have traffic travelling at speed on the motorway coming upon stationary vehicles.

“If the lights were turned off we would reintroduce that highly dangerous traffic environment, and we would forfeit the overall safer and more efficient operation of the roundabout.”

Mr Pitt said the Task Force’s recommendations were measures to:

• upgrade and promote the alternative route into and out of the airport precinct – the Lomandra Drive, Sugarmill Road and Kingsford Smith Drive route
• discourage and minimise traffic that drives through the airport precinct but does not have business there, to curb “rat running” in peak periods.
• increase use of the Airtrain by people accessing the airport precinct, particularly employees, by making it more attractive
• provide quicker response to incidents on the motorway, at the airport roundabout interchange, and other approach roads
• upgrade the bus service between the Chermside bus interchange, Toombul shopping centre, the DFO shopping complex, and the airport precinct
• promote community and airport precinct employees’ awareness of travel options into and out of the precinct.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819