The first section of the newly widened Gateway Motorway consisting of three new lanes between Nudgee and Deagon are now open to traffic.
The recent completion is part the $1.1-billion Gateway Upgrade North project which aims to decongest traffic during peak hours. The new lanes stretch from Southern Cross Way and Depot Road, Deagon (northbound), and southbound between the Sandgate Road bridges and Nudgee.
The Gateway Upgrade North project is jointly funded by the Queensland Government and the Australian Government, which is shouldering 80 percent of the costs.
“We want to get Brisbane motorists home sooner and safer and the Gateway Upgrade North is making that a reality,” Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.
“The newly opened stretch will be temporarily posted at 80 kilometres an hour while final works are completed progressively into early next year, after which time the speed limit will be raised,” Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said.
“Remaining works include the final layer of asphalt being placed along the motorway between Deagon and Bracken Ridge, new line marking and signage, and installation of Intelligent Transport Systems.”
Pedestrians and cyclists will also benefit from the improved road safety that this project brings, Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth noted.
Video Credit: TMRQld / YouTube
“Works are also progressing to complete the construction of an off-road shared pedestrian and cycle path between Nudgee to Bracken Ridge, which is expected to be opened in stages,” Mr Howarth said.
“The opening of these lanes will be welcomed by motorists getting ready for the busy holiday season,” added State Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe.
“Provision has also been made to widen the motorway to four-lanes in each direction along this stretch of the motorway when needed, so this major investment shows we are delivering relief for motorists now and planning for future growth,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
A major freight route, the Gateway Motorway supports south-east Queensland communities. With the upgraded section, the motorway provides critical transport corridor for more than 83,000 vehicles each day who will now benefit with less congestion during peak hour traffic.
The newly opened lanes will temporarily have an 80km/hour limit, which will be increased once works are completed in early 2019. Currently progressing is the placement of the final layer of asphalt surfacing along the motorway between Deagon and Bracken Ridge. This will include new line marking and signage, and installation of Intelligent Transport Systems.