Published Friday, 12 December, 2008 at 08:43 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Gateway Bridge to close briefly while gantry is installed
For the first time in its history, the Gateway Bridge will close briefly in the early hours of Sunday morning for the installation of a gantry needed for free-flow tolling.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the first planned closure of the bridge would allow the installation of an overhead gantry, the first to be installed across the Gateway and Logan motorways during the next six months.
“These gantries will become operational in mid 2009 when free-flow tolling is introduced,” Mr Pitt said.
“Installation of the Gateway Bridge gantry will take about three hours to complete, weather permitting, and during that time, there will be some disruptions for motorists using the motorway.
“This is the first time in the bridge’s history – since it opened on 11 January 1986 – that a complete closure has been planned.
“While we understand that this will cause some inconvenience for the small number of motorists who use the bridge at this time on a Sunday morning, we must also recognise that the introduction of free-flow tolling will bring enormous benefits to motorists once it is introduced.”
Between 10pm on Saturday 13 December and 3am on Sunday 14 December, the number of lanes operating on the motorway will be reduced in both directions between Links Avenue, Eagle Farm in the north and Wynnum Road, Murarrie, in the south.
This will include a brief complete closure of the motorway for a period of about 30 minutes between 2am and 3am.
Traffic controllers, police and other traffic control measures will be in place to direct and inform motorists.
Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips in advance to avoid possible delays and wide-load operators using the Gateway Bridge will need to take an alternative route.
Mr Pitt said that by mid 2009, a free-flowing environment would operate across the entire Queensland Motorways road network, with the new system providing motorists with a consistently safer, more efficient and less congested route.
“Free-flow tolling will involve the removal of cash lanes and toll booths, and motorists will experience driving on an open motorway with tolls automatically calculated as they pass under a tolling point,” he said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the first planned closure of the bridge would allow the installation of an overhead gantry, the first to be installed across the Gateway and Logan motorways during the next six months.
“These gantries will become operational in mid 2009 when free-flow tolling is introduced,” Mr Pitt said.
“Installation of the Gateway Bridge gantry will take about three hours to complete, weather permitting, and during that time, there will be some disruptions for motorists using the motorway.
“This is the first time in the bridge’s history – since it opened on 11 January 1986 – that a complete closure has been planned.
“While we understand that this will cause some inconvenience for the small number of motorists who use the bridge at this time on a Sunday morning, we must also recognise that the introduction of free-flow tolling will bring enormous benefits to motorists once it is introduced.”
Between 10pm on Saturday 13 December and 3am on Sunday 14 December, the number of lanes operating on the motorway will be reduced in both directions between Links Avenue, Eagle Farm in the north and Wynnum Road, Murarrie, in the south.
This will include a brief complete closure of the motorway for a period of about 30 minutes between 2am and 3am.
Traffic controllers, police and other traffic control measures will be in place to direct and inform motorists.
Motorists are encouraged to plan their trips in advance to avoid possible delays and wide-load operators using the Gateway Bridge will need to take an alternative route.
Mr Pitt said that by mid 2009, a free-flowing environment would operate across the entire Queensland Motorways road network, with the new system providing motorists with a consistently safer, more efficient and less congested route.
“Free-flow tolling will involve the removal of cash lanes and toll booths, and motorists will experience driving on an open motorway with tolls automatically calculated as they pass under a tolling point,” he said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819