Traffic changes flagged for Ipswich–Logan motorways interchange
Published Wednesday, 17 September, 2008 at 05:43 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Further major traffic changes at the Ipswich–Logan motorways interchange this weekend will mean motorists need to be even more alert than usual, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt said the $255 million upgrade project was entering one of its most challenging stages.
"Motorists will see some major changes this weekend, including access from the Ipswich Motorway on to the Logan Motorway being diverted," Mr Pitt said.
"An alternative route via the Ipswich Motorway's Progress Road interchange will be available. Electronic signs will help direct Logan Motorway-bound motorists via this route over the weekend.
"It's the biggest and most difficult traffic change to date, which is why it is happening on a weekend when traffic volumes are much lower.
"Even so, we are encouraging people to plan their trip, as traffic delays are expected during the weekend diversion."
As part of the diversion, the Goodna exit from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich-bound) will be temporarily diverted via the Logan Motorway and Formation Street overpass.
All traffic changes are being advertised in print, radio and on the project website.
Mr Pitt said the traffic changes were part of a detailed staged construction plan and were essential to enable work to continue on the upgrade while maintaining traffic flow.
The traffic change is planned to occur from 8pm Friday 19 September to 5am Monday 22 September, subject to weather and construction conditions.
"Depending on construction conditions and the progress of works motorists should be aware that some diversions may need to stay in place on Monday,” Mr Pitt said.
“However, if this occurs, directional signage will advise motorists and Main Roads will provide updates as soon as they are known.
"Once the traffic change is completed motorists travelling between the Ipswich Motorway (west of the interchange) and the Logan Motorway will start using a two-way underpass that crosses beneath the Ipswich Motorway with right-hand entries and exits..
"This is a temporary arrangement until early 2009. A key project goal is replacing right-side merges with free-flowing left-side merges.
"When construction finishes, motorists using the interchange will travel on one-way, two-lane underpasses, which will provide safe and efficient access between the Ipswich and Logan motorways."
The Goodna exit from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich bound) will also temporarily move 1km towards Gailes.
The traffic changes mean motorists from the Logan Motorway that usually exit at Goodna will need to use alternative routes, including Boundary Road, or the Gailes, Stuart Street or Redbank exits from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich-bound).
Mr Pitt said every effort was being made to ensure traffic flows were maintained on the Ipswich Motorway with minimal disruption while construction progressed.
Directional signage in the vicinity and large electronic variable message signs will help to alert motorists to the changed conditions.
"The changes were vital to enable upgrade works to continue in areas of the road corridor currently occupied by traffic. We thank the local community for their continued patience during these essential works," he said.
"I'm confident the final product will be appreciated by all those in the local community who use it."
When completed in the first half of 2009, the Ipswich/Logan motorways interchange will provide better infrastructure for a growing community with a safer and improved motorway, new cycle lanes and better local access adjacent to and across the Ipswich Motorway.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the $255 million upgrade project was entering one of its most challenging stages.
"Motorists will see some major changes this weekend, including access from the Ipswich Motorway on to the Logan Motorway being diverted," Mr Pitt said.
"An alternative route via the Ipswich Motorway's Progress Road interchange will be available. Electronic signs will help direct Logan Motorway-bound motorists via this route over the weekend.
"It's the biggest and most difficult traffic change to date, which is why it is happening on a weekend when traffic volumes are much lower.
"Even so, we are encouraging people to plan their trip, as traffic delays are expected during the weekend diversion."
As part of the diversion, the Goodna exit from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich-bound) will be temporarily diverted via the Logan Motorway and Formation Street overpass.
All traffic changes are being advertised in print, radio and on the project website.
Mr Pitt said the traffic changes were part of a detailed staged construction plan and were essential to enable work to continue on the upgrade while maintaining traffic flow.
The traffic change is planned to occur from 8pm Friday 19 September to 5am Monday 22 September, subject to weather and construction conditions.
"Depending on construction conditions and the progress of works motorists should be aware that some diversions may need to stay in place on Monday,” Mr Pitt said.
“However, if this occurs, directional signage will advise motorists and Main Roads will provide updates as soon as they are known.
"Once the traffic change is completed motorists travelling between the Ipswich Motorway (west of the interchange) and the Logan Motorway will start using a two-way underpass that crosses beneath the Ipswich Motorway with right-hand entries and exits..
"This is a temporary arrangement until early 2009. A key project goal is replacing right-side merges with free-flowing left-side merges.
"When construction finishes, motorists using the interchange will travel on one-way, two-lane underpasses, which will provide safe and efficient access between the Ipswich and Logan motorways."
The Goodna exit from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich bound) will also temporarily move 1km towards Gailes.
The traffic changes mean motorists from the Logan Motorway that usually exit at Goodna will need to use alternative routes, including Boundary Road, or the Gailes, Stuart Street or Redbank exits from the Ipswich Motorway (Ipswich-bound).
Mr Pitt said every effort was being made to ensure traffic flows were maintained on the Ipswich Motorway with minimal disruption while construction progressed.
Directional signage in the vicinity and large electronic variable message signs will help to alert motorists to the changed conditions.
"The changes were vital to enable upgrade works to continue in areas of the road corridor currently occupied by traffic. We thank the local community for their continued patience during these essential works," he said.
"I'm confident the final product will be appreciated by all those in the local community who use it."
When completed in the first half of 2009, the Ipswich/Logan motorways interchange will provide better infrastructure for a growing community with a safer and improved motorway, new cycle lanes and better local access adjacent to and across the Ipswich Motorway.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819