More than 160,000 vehicles currently travel the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway corridor daily, and with traffic predicted to increase by 50% by 2041, a major $2 billion upgrade is planned to improve traffic flow for commuters between Bracken Ridge and Brays Road.
The project, which will span from Bracken Ridge to Anzac Avenue at North Lakes, aims to address the increasing traffic demands resulting from the region’s significant population growth.
Project Overview
The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is undertaking the large-scale project, divided into several stages.
The initial focus will be upgrading the Gateway Motorway from Bracken Ridge to Pine River and the Bruce Highway from the Gateway Motorway interchange to Dohles Rocks Road. Later stages will address further improvements along the Bruce Highway towards Anzac Avenue.
Stage 1: Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway Interchange
The first stage of the project, estimated to cost $1 billion, will concentrate on the area between Bracken Ridge and Pine River. Construction is scheduled to commence in 2026, following design work set to begin in 2024. This stage will see the Gateway Motorway widened with extra lanes and improvements made to the connections with Bracken Ridge Road and Deagon Deviation.
The motorway curve at Bracken Ridge will also be upgraded, and a new Wyampa Road bridge will be constructed. To minimise the impact on residents, noise barriers will be installed, and fauna fencing and underpasses will be included to protect local wildlife.
Stage 2: Bruce Highway to Dohles Rocks Road
Design work will also begin 2024 for the second stage, a $948 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway from the Gateway Motorway interchange to Dohles Rocks Road.
This stage will involve the construction of collector-distributor roads on either side of the highway, along with two new bridges over the Pine River. A dedicated fauna underpass and an extended active transport pathway are also planned for this section.
Future Stages and Property Impacts
Future stages of the project will include further upgrades to the Bruce Highway between Dohles Rocks Road and Anzac Avenue and improvements to the Gympie Arterial Road and Anzac Avenue interchange. TMR has indicated that some property acquisition will be necessary to facilitate the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway expansion.
Residents in Bracken Ridge, Bald Hills, Sandgate, Murrumba Downs, and Griffin who are directly affected by these acquisitions will receive updates from TMR in the coming weeks. The department has completed integrated planning for the upgrades, considering the projected traffic increases and aiming to provide a long-term solution for the growing region.
Published Date 04-Feb-2025
