Seymour Whyte Constructions has started work on adding an additional lane along the 2.5km Sandgate Road and Barrett Street section of the Gateway Motorway in Queensland, Australia.

The federally funded $96.7m Gateway Motorway is expected to reduce traffic congestion for over 65,000 motorists and truck drivers who use the route every day.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the new lane will reduce travel times and double peak hour speeds along this stretch. The construction work is part the Federal Labor Government’s efforts to make it easier to get around Australia’s third largest and fastest-growing city.

"Indeed, over the six year life of our current Nation Building Program we are investing $5.7 billion to renew and expand South East Queensland’s road and rail infrastructure significantly more than what the former government spent across the entire State of Queensland over a similar period of time," Albanese added.

For the construction of the additional lane, the project will also widen the Depot Road overpass, erect new bridges over Cabbage Tree Creek and another over Depot Road so the existing off-ramp can be lengthened.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads minister Scott Emerson said that in recent weeks the project team has been out talking with local residents and business owners about the scope of the work, which will be undertaken over the next two years.

"Importantly, to minimise disruptions while the upgrade is being delivered, two lanes in each direction will remain open to traffic during peak periods," Emerson added.

The construction work of the new northbound lane is expected to be completed in 2014.