Flyover gives motorists sneak preview of new Gateway Motorway

Motorists will start using part of Brisbane's newest motorway from this weekend when southbound traffic is switched onto a new overpass as part of construction of the northern section of the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the switch was the first needed for the 7km section of new motorway being built on the northern side of the Gateway bridges, even though works had been underway along this stretch since March 2007.

He said shifting the traffic on to the new flyover would allow construction workers to start building the interchange needed to connect the new section of motorway with the existing Gateway Motorway.

“Traffic switching has been used extensively along the southern sections of the Gateway Upgrade Project to keep more than 100,000 vehicles moving through the works zone daily without daytime lane closures,” Mr Pitt said.

"This weekend, traffic travelling on the Gateway Motorway southbound near the Nudgee Road interchange will be transferred onto the new overpass.

"This activity will occur, weather permitting, under traffic control between 8pm and 4.30am. Motorists are reminded to please slow down, take care and follow directions provided by signage and traffic controllers.

"A 6.5m wide-load restriction is also in place between Toombul Road and Nudgee Road until mid-2009."

Mr Pitt said the northern section of the Gateway Upgrade Project involved construction of a new 7km motorway north of the Brisbane River to improve north-south connections and offer a more direct route to Brisbane Airport and Nudgee Road.

Additionally, new south facing on-ramps and off-ramps would be built where the new motorway intersected with Kingsford Smith Drive, providing enhanced city access.

"Construction of bridges over Lavarack Avenue, Kingsford Smith Drive and Airport Drive, and a 740m viaduct over Kedron Brook, are now substantially complete." Mr Pitt said.

"Asphalting works are progressing in the TradeCoast Central area between Kingsford Smith Drive and Airport Drive.

“The next step is to join this new motorway to the existing motorway near Nudgee Road and also to the Gateway bridges.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s office 3227 8819