Government awards construction contract for Gateway Upgrade North project
The $1.162 billion Gateway Upgrade North project has reached a significant milestone with the successful tenderer for design and construction announced today.
Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Jamie Briggs and Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Mark Bailey announced Lend Lease Engineering Pty Ltd had been chosen from a field of high-quality tenderers to deliver the project.
Mr Briggs said the major infrastructure upgrade would fix one of Queensland’s most congested and important motorways which forms a vital link between key freight hubs, such as the Port of Brisbane and the Brisbane Airport.
“This project will reduce congestion and improve safety for more than 80,000 drivers using the northern section of the Gateway Motorway daily,” Mr Briggs said.
“The addition of two extra lanes will significantly increase productivity, saving freight operators time and money and ultimately improving Australia’s freight competitiveness.”
“Last year, the Australian Government delivered the biggest infrastructure investment in the state’s history to build world class projects like the Gateway Motorway North, and the multi-billion dollar Bruce Highway upgrade and the Toowoomba Bypass.”
Mr Bailey said the Queensland Government also contributed to those major projects, with the Gateway upgrade, being one of the state’s biggest road building projects.
“We know the importance of a safe and reliable road network. Not only will this upgrade deliver travel time savings for drivers, it will generate a vast number of jobs over the life of the project.
“It couldn’t have come at a better time, when jobs and job security are more important than ever.
“When completed in late 2018, the upgrade will enhance road safety and improve the movement of freight along the national road network.”
The preferred plan includes widening an 11 kilometre section of the motorway from four to six lanes between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge, an upgrade of the Nudgee Road interchange, and widening the Deagon Deviation to two lanes in each direction.
The Australian Government has committed up to $929.58 million and the Queensland Government $232.42 million to the Gateway Upgrade North project.
Source: News Release, Queensland Government, 26 June, 2015