The Honourable Andrew Fraser
28/02/2011
AIRPORT FLYOVER OPENS ALL LANES - 9 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE
All four lanes on the new Airport Flyover are open to traffic as of first thing this morning slashing up to 10 minutes off city-airport journeys.
The major milestone marks the end of major works as part of the Bligh Government's $327 million Airport Roundabout Upgrade project.
Treasurer and Minister for State Development and Trade Andrew Fraser said drivers were on the road well ahead of schedule.
"The Airport bound lanes were opened a year ahead of schedule and this morning the westbound lanes took their first cars nine months early," Mr Fraser said.
"This is a massive infrastructure project both in terms of sheer size and for its logistical issues. It is a testament to those involved that it is open so early.
"Every year 17 million vehicles use this intersection. What used to be one of Brisbane's worst traffic bottlenecks has been ripped up, demolished and replaced by the new flyover and fast diamond intersection, which I'm pleased to say is now officially open.
"Free for all motorists, this flyover with two lanes east and two lanes west is slashing travel times to and from the Airport by up to 10 minutes.
"From today, up to 3,600 vehicles will be able to cross the overpass every hour.
"With record breaking rainfall over the last couple of months, construction contractor Thiess John Holland, has defied the odds by finishing this project nine months ahead of time."
Thiess John Holland Project Director Gordon Ralph congratulated the team of up to 400 workers who had contributed to the Airport Roundabout Upgrade project since construction began in April 2009.
CEO of BrisConnections Dr Ray Wilson said when the Airport Link project is completed in 2012, access to the Brisbane Airport for motorists would be better than any other airport in Australia.
Next month the 20m-high flyover will be handed to the Department of Transport and Main Roads to manage and will be free for all drivers.
The project involved:
• A new four lane 750m bridge linking East West Arterial Road and Airport Drive over the Gateway Motorway overpass;
• Replacing the existing Gateway Motorway overpass at the roundabout with a new four lane overpass;
• Replacing the existing roundabout with a high capacity signalised intersection;
• The upgrade of the intersection at East West Arterial and Nudgee Roads;
• Widening of East West Arterial Road to three traffic lanes in each direction;
• Improved connections to the airport precinct, the Gateway Motorway and Kingsford Smith Drive; and
• Surface road improvements to Airport Drive. The project, which is being designed and constructed by Thiess John Holland, along with the Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron), is part of a massive $4.8 billion infrastructure investment on Brisbane's Northside.
The combined Airport Link projects are the biggest infrastructure construction underway in Australia.
The Airport Link and Northern Busway (Windsor to Kedron) are on schedule for completion by mid-2012, with the Airport Roundabout Upgrade set to open this month.
Visit www.brisconnections.com.au to register for SMS and email updates on traffic changes and project progress.
Project Achievements:
·More than 70% of construction complete
·15 million hours worked
·More than 3,800 people are working across the projects
·$2.9 billion spent
·More than 80% of all spoil excavated
·More than 80% of service relocations complete
