Published Wednesday, 02 July, 2008 at 05:45 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
One million vehicles use Tugun Bypass in first month of operation
The $543 million Tugun Bypass continues to deliver significant benefits for motorists, with the one millionth vehicle to pass through the tunnel this morning.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the milestone number – achieved just inside a month - showed the Queensland Government had made the right decision in building the 7km link road.
The Tugun Bypass was funded by the Queensland Government ($423 million) and the Australian Government ($120 million).
"The bypass has been great news for motorists - instead of being stuck in traffic, they are now completing the journey between Currumbin and the Tweed in about five minutes," Mr Pitt said.
"And the best outcome for the local residents is that more than 10 per cent of the one million vehicles have been trucks.
"This means that more than 100, 000 fewer trucks have travelled through the middle of Tugun since the bypass opened.
“There have been a few technology glitches with the bypass’s monitoring systems, but in the scheme of things the bypass has completed its first month of operation with flying colours.”
Tragically, there had been one fatal road accident on the bypass, involving a motorcycle crash, which highlighted that even on the newest and best roads there was still the risk of serious road accidents occurring.
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government was committed to tackling urban congestion and improving the quality of life for people in the process.
"The bypass is also expected to save motorists an estimated $1.9 billion in reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs over 30 years," Mr Pitt said.
"Benefits for the community will be even bigger in the future. At the moment about 40,000 cars use the bypass on weekdays, and this number is expected to rise to 60,000 by 2017."
The Tugun Bypass – which was constructed by the PacificLink Alliance – opened to traffic on June 3.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the milestone number – achieved just inside a month - showed the Queensland Government had made the right decision in building the 7km link road.
The Tugun Bypass was funded by the Queensland Government ($423 million) and the Australian Government ($120 million).
"The bypass has been great news for motorists - instead of being stuck in traffic, they are now completing the journey between Currumbin and the Tweed in about five minutes," Mr Pitt said.
"And the best outcome for the local residents is that more than 10 per cent of the one million vehicles have been trucks.
"This means that more than 100, 000 fewer trucks have travelled through the middle of Tugun since the bypass opened.
“There have been a few technology glitches with the bypass’s monitoring systems, but in the scheme of things the bypass has completed its first month of operation with flying colours.”
Tragically, there had been one fatal road accident on the bypass, involving a motorcycle crash, which highlighted that even on the newest and best roads there was still the risk of serious road accidents occurring.
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Government was committed to tackling urban congestion and improving the quality of life for people in the process.
"The bypass is also expected to save motorists an estimated $1.9 billion in reduced travel times and vehicle operating costs over 30 years," Mr Pitt said.
"Benefits for the community will be even bigger in the future. At the moment about 40,000 cars use the bypass on weekdays, and this number is expected to rise to 60,000 by 2017."
The Tugun Bypass – which was constructed by the PacificLink Alliance – opened to traffic on June 3.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819