Cost savings deliver extra lanes to vital section of Gateway Motorway

Cost savings have allowed the Queensland Government to fast-track the widening of the Gateway Motorway between the Old Cleveland Road and Wynnum Road ramps to eight lanes, instead of the planned six.

Treasurer and Acting Main Roads Minister Andrew Fraser said the two extra lanes, which will be built as part of the government’s $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project, would provide further travel-time savings and reduce congestion for Brisbane motorists.

“Traffic forecasting indicates that due to the rapid growth of the Australia TradeCoast economic region, this section of the motorway would need to be upgraded from six to eight lanes within the next five to 10 years,” Mr Fraser said.

“Bringing forward the upgrade of this section of the motorway to eight lanes as part of the Gateway Upgrade Project will provide cost efficiencies, as well as saving motorists time and money by reducing peak-hour congestion.

“These extra two lanes, which will extend for almost 1.5 kilometres between the Old Cleveland Road and Wynnum Road ramps, will allow peak-hour traffic to flow up to 15 kilometres per hour faster, meaning that motorists get to work or home faster and spend less time in traffic.

“Furthermore, this enhancement will also mean that 70 construction workers will be employed for more than 100 days longer than originally planned.

“The project will also include adding extra lanes to the northbound off-ramps at Wynnum Road and the Port of Brisbane Motorway.”

Mr Fraser said the additional lanes, which would cost about $30 million, would be funded within the project’s current budget allocation, a result made possible through the government’s efficient management of the project since construction began in early 2007.

“It is significantly more cost-effective to deliver the extra lanes as part of the current project, as it will allow us to avoid future project establishment and overhead costs,” Mr Fraser said.

“Importantly, by delivering the additional lanes as part of the project, it means we can avoid future disruptions to traffic and provide benefits to the 90,000 motorists who travel along this section each day earlier than originally planned.”

Mr Fraser said the upgrading of this section of the motorway to eight lanes was expected to be completed by early 2010, weather permitting.

“The upgrade will also include expanding the Wynnum Road northbound off-ramp to two lanes, reducing the number of weaving movements caused by motorists using the motorway.

“The existing Port of Brisbane Motorway exit ramp northbound will also be upgraded to two lanes.”

The Gateway Upgrade Project is a Queensland Government initiative being delivered by Queensland Motorways with design and construction by the Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture.

The project involves duplication of the Gateway Bridge, 12 kilometres of motorway upgrades south of the river and seven kilometres of new motorway on the northside to Nudgee Road.

Media contact (Treasurer’s office): 0458 357 539