Queensland commits funds for Gateway Motorway upgrade

The Queensland state government in Australia has committed to providing nearly A$200m ($137.42) for completion of the next stages of Gateway Motorway upgrade in Brisbane. 

The motorway upgrade is intended to cut congestion in the developing region.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the state government would provide the funds to upgrade the motorway from Bracken Ridge to the Bruce Highway merge.

Funding is part of an A$3.13bn programme, which has been sanctioned for the development of the region’s roads and transport infrastructure over the next four years.

The A$200m joins an A$800m commitment by the federal government to complete the motorway project.

Bailey added: “This is a job-creating, congestion-tackling budget that will build the next stage of the Gateway Motorway in Brisbane’s north.”

The project will replicate the six-lane upgrade of the 11.3km first stage between Nudgee and the Deagon Deviation.

Bailey further said the project comes as part of the state government’s A$23bn commitment to a four-year road and transport programme for Queensland, aimed at creating over 21,500 jobs.

Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe said locals were already benefitting from stage one due to considerable decrease in congestion, especially during peak hours, and an upgrade from Bracken Ridge to the Bruce Highway merge will give further relief to commuters.

Hinchliffe added “Locals want action on this ageing section of the Gateway Motorway and to have a seamless journey whether they’re travelling to or from the Bruce Highway.

“More than 83,000 vehicles already travel on our northern Gateway Motorway every day, and this our A$200m commitment will help to provide much-needed relief for Brisbane’s northside.”