Gateway Upgrade scoops national infrastructure award

The $2.5 billion Gateway Upgrade Project has scooped the biggest infrastructure prize in Australia.

Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said the Queensland’s Government’s project was judged the country’s best for its “iconic status, its engineering brilliance and sheer scale” by Infrastructure Partnerships Australia.

“This is Australia’s biggest road and bridge project and it’s now been crowned its best. It was delivered on budget and an incredible seven months ahead of schedule,” the Minister said.

“We’ve boosted road capacity, slashed travel times and brought the motorway up to world class standard, making a huge difference to people’s lives.

“The Sir Leo Hielscher bridges and the more than 20 kilometres of new and upgraded motorway have been like a shot in the arm for the economy, and also created over 5000 full time jobs during construction

“The project makes a major state and national economic impact by servicing the region’s economic powerhouse of Australia TradeCoast, Brisbane Airport, Tradecoast Central development, the Port of Brisbane and the surrounding industrial precinct.”

According to Queensland Motorway Limited estimates the project has added more than $600 million to Gross Regional Product (GRP), including over $400 million to employment.

Queensland Motorways Acting Chief Executive Officer John Gardiner said the project had been delivered quickly and without major impacts.

“Queensland Motorways and our construction partners have maintained the existing network capacity throughout construction, rebuilding the Gateway Motorway day and night, to ensure that this vital artery continued to flow every day,” he said.

Mr Gardiner said one of the keys to the project’s success was the strength and professionalism of the team.

“Queensland Motorways is rightly proud of its achievements and again I thank our team for a job well done,” he said.

“We forged strong working relationships with the State Government and contractor, Leighton Abigroup Joint Venture, to get the job done.”

With the project team beating its deadlines and budgets, the State Government fast-tracked a final four kilometre extension to the project scope which is expected to be completed within the original project timeframe of mid 2011.

This award is the second for the project, having won an Engineers Australia State Engineering Excellence Award in 2006 for its procurement phase.

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

The project involves duplication of the Sir Leo Hielscher Bridge – North, 16km of upgrades to the Gateway Motorway south to the Pacific Motorway and 7km of new motorway north to Nudgee Road.

The Gateway Upgrade (Southern Extension), the upgrade of the last remaining four-lane section on the Gateway Motorway between Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road and Miles Platting Road from four lanes to six lanes, plus asphalt overlay to the Pacific Motorway, is due for completion by mid 2011.

For further information about the project visit www.gatewayupgradeproject.com.au

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