Gateway Motorway Upgrade to Tackle Traffic Congestion from Bracken Ridge to Brays Road

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

First Section of Newly Widened Gateway Motorway Now Open

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.