Tenders for the construction of Brisbane’s first diverging diamond interchange at Strathpine has been released to market, taking the $30 million project closer to getting built and creating approximately 65 jobs.
“This is a critical piece of infrastructure for Brisbane and suburbs further north that will give communities as well as businesses an economic boost for years to come.
“It’s one congestion-busting upgrade among many as part of our infrastructure investments across Queensland, which are creating jobs and critical economic support as we come out of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said.
Due to the strong health response to the pandemic, Queensland is able to kick-start economic recovery and get on with the delivery of its $23 billion pipeline of road and transport projects.
“With a diverging diamond design, traffic will be switched to the other side of the road, eliminating the need to cross the path of oncoming cars or wait for a green light to turn right onto Gympie Arterial Road.
“We know there’s a long road ahead when it comes to COVID-19, and that’s why we’re focussed on Queensland’s plan for economic recovery – a laser-like focus on infrastructure, jobs, industry and business,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said.
With the tender process now underway, initial works on the interchange upgrade is expected to begin later this year and major construction to commence in early 2021.
“A key benefit of this kind of interchange is that right-turning traffic does not have to give way to opposing traffic and decreases the number of traffic lights required, making the intersection both safer and more efficient,” Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said.
The diamond diverging interchange is located at the Gympie Arterial Road and Strathpine Road intersection, about 16 kilometres north of Brisbane, in the suburb of Bald Hills.
This innovative interchange design will be connecting Strathpine Road, Hoyland Street and the Gympie Arterial Road.
“This interchange upgrade will mean traffic relief for the 20,000 people who use this road daily.
“Our community is fast-becoming a major hub for families, businesses and essential services, and it’s vital we get on with the job of delivering jobs and the transport infrastructure we need,” State Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said.
State Member for Sandgate Stirling Hinchliffe said that it was great to see all levels of government working hand in hand to deliver projects that will support jobs as well as help bust congestion on local roads.
“This is a job-creating, congestion-tackling project that builds on projects in Brisbane’s northside like the $1 billion Gateway Motorway upgrade completed last year.
“Our community knows just how frustrating the overpass can be during peak times, and I’m glad the design team has listened and understood local concerns,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
The diverging diamond interchange project at Strathpine is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on a 50:50 basis.
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Source: Queensland Government; Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure; Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads; Road Traffic Technology