GATEWAY UPGRADE NORTH NOW COMPLETE

Friday, 22 March 2019

GATEWAY UPGRADE NORTH NOW COMPLETE

South-East Queenslanders are getting home sooner and safer after the opening of the newly widened section of the Gateway Motorway.

The completion of the section means the massive $1.1 billion Gateway Upgrade North project is now finished. The project supported over 1,000 jobs during its construction.

Federal Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said the project was part of the Morrison Goverrment’s plan to bust congestion across the region – one of the fastest growing in Australia.

“And there is more relief to come – only last month we announced $244.25 million under the Morrison Government’s Urban Congestion Fund,” Mr Tudge said.

“We want people to be spending less time in traffic, and more time at home with their families and doing what’s important.”

In addition the Morrison Government has $7.2 billion invested into major urban infrastructure projects across South East Queensland.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the gateway upgrade would help to unlock major economic growth in Queensland by busting congestion for motorists and vastly improving freight access to the Australia TradeCoast (ATC), Port of Brisbane and Brisbane Airport.

“This is a $214 million investment by the Queensland Government that has transformed the Gateway Motorway and improved Bruce Highway connectivity for the thousands of Queenslanders and businesses who rely on this important corridor every day,” the Premier said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said extra lanes on the motorway and Deagon Deviation are already significantly reducing congestion while the upgraded Nudgee Interchange will improve access, traffic flow and driver safety on and off the motorway in each direction.

“Daily, more than 83,000 vehicles travel along motorway between Nudgee and Deagon. The Gateway Upgrade North will provide relief for motorists today and allow for growth in the future,” Mr Bailey said.

Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said works involved widening 11.3 kilometres of the Motorway from four to six lanes between Nudgee to the Deagon Deviation and the construction of an off-road shared pathway.

“The bike path will provide a safe and efficient off-road connection for local cyclists along the Gateway Motorway between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge.” Mr Howarth said.

The $1.1 billion Gateway Upgrade North project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with the Australian Government committing $861.78 million and the Queensland Government committing $214.45 million.