Traffic congestion is already easing on the north side of Brisbane due to the newly opened Boundary Road Bridge over the Bruce Highway.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the new bridge was part of the Coalition’s record $50 billion Infrastructure Investment Programme and a key component of the Boundary Road Interchange Upgrade project.
“This bridge is another piece in the puzzle of making the Bruce Highway safer and more reliable for all motorists, including freight vehicles, local residents and tourists,” Mr Chester said.
“The results of the Australian Government’s $6.7 billion investment in the Bruce Highway are there for all to see – including this new bridge, which was built using $80.3 million from the Australian Government and $20.1 million from the Queensland Government.”
Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the opening of the new bridge was great news for motorists.
“Construction on this $100.4 million upgrade has progressed faster than expected transforming the interchange, enabling traffic to move faster, greatly benefiting local commuters, cyclists, pedestrians and local businesses within the area,” Mr Bailey said.
“This particular upgrade will significantly reduce delays at the interchange, as well as reduce the number of congestion related crashes, while improving overall operational safety.”
Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said the new bridge, built to the north of the existing interchange, was six lanes wide with four dedicated left slip- lanes to provide access to the Bruce Highway on-ramps.
“The Bruce Highway is a vital thoroughfare and forms part of an overarching plan to improve infrastructure in and around the Petrie electorate,” Mr Howarth said.
“Bigger and better than the existing 40-year-old bridge overpass, the new bridge streamlines movement and access for business and residents.
“Requiring the installation of 68 bridge girders, it is a significant project and one I am proud to be involved in delivering.”
State Member for Kallangur Shane King said the majority of the lanes were now open to traffic. The remaining work to complete the final alignments for the Bruce Highway on-ramps, allowing all six bridge lanes to open, is scheduled to be completed by September, weather permitting.
“Boundary Road at the bridge over the Bruce Highway carries about 20,000 vehicles per day and the old overpass was experiencing high congestion at peak times and the project team has worked hard to deliver this milestone early,” he said.
State Member for Murrumba Chris Whiting said the old two-lane Boundary Road overpass would be demolished and removed in the coming weeks.
“The old bridge overpass can no longer service this growing community and will be progressively demolished and removed in April,” Mr Whiting said.
