BMD Seymour Whyte Joint Venture Awarded $332m Port of Brisbane Motorway
17 December 2010 - The contract for delivery of the $332 million upgrade of the Port of Brisbane Motorway has been awarded to the BMD Seymour Whyte Joint Venture, Premier Anna Bligh last week announced.
"Site investigations and early works will start on this project, now known as Port Connect, shortly with major construction set to begin in April 2011,' said the Premier.
"The project will take just over two years with completion due in mid 2013.
"This is the final component of the State Government's $2.5 billion investment in the Gateway corridor.
"Just last month we saw the opening of 12 lanes on the Gateway Bridge, more than six months early.
"Now Port Connect is set to proceed, providing a three kilometre extension of the existing motorway and creating 780 direct and indirect jobs during construction."
The Premier said the announcement was also great news for the thousands of Queensland businesses that depend on the port to import or export goods.
"This project will eliminate the need for heavy vehicles to use Lytton Road on their way to the port, including the section known as 'rollover bend'," she said.
"As well as an extension of the motorway the project also includes a new interchange at Pritchard Street with an overpass between Lytton Road and Export Street.
"This interchange provides access to the Port of Brisbane Motorway from the local road network, as well as allowing vehicles to make local trips without having to use the motorway."
A map of the project alignment will soon be available on the Port Connect web page and the project team will begin a comprehensive program of communication with the local community early in 2011.
Once complete, the upgraded Port of Brisbane Motorway will provide significant benefits including:
- significantly improved reliability for freight being moved to and from the Port of Brisbane
- support for future growth at the port
- more appropriate road geometry for heavy vehicles
- separating heavy, port-bound vehicles from local traffic improving safety.
