Brisbane City Council will re-open Gap Creek Road today following the completion of works to seal the road.
Lord Mayor Campbell Newman said that $11.5 million has been spent to upgrade the road and improve motorist safety, a saving of $2.8 million on the initial budget estimate.
“This upgrade to Gap Creek Road means it is now a road that everybody can use safely and enjoy” Cr Newman said.
“The safety of Brisbane motorists is a top priority and through the Gap Creek Road upgrade we have ensured motorists will have a much safer route between Kenmore Hills and The Gap,” Cr Newman said.
Cr Newman said the project incorporated a number of measures to ensure motorists travel safely, including realigning sharp bends, installing speed platforms, speed calming devices and guardrails.
“We don’t expect this to be a speedway and we will be making sure we work with police to ensure there is enforcement down the track,” Cr Newman said.
“We have also taken steps to protect the local wildlife by providing under-road fauna crossings and setting the speed limit at 50km/h.”
This project was delivered in two stages.
Stage One included sealing the gravel road through Mt Coot-tha Forest, installing traffic speed control devices and widening the dangerous single lane bridge near the Gap Creek Reserve, as well as improvements to the intersection at Kookaburra Street and Gap Creek Road.
Stage Two works included minor upgrades to the remainder of Gap Creek Road and Dillon Road.
Traffic management is still in place on the road as there are some minor construction works to be completed, including the installation of guardrails and safety fences, finalising carpark works and landscaping.
Cr Newman said as a result of community feedback Council had ensured the road retained much of its existing character so it did not become a major traffic route.
While the initial budget estimate was $14.3 million, the forecast cost for completion of the Gap Creek Road upgrade project will be $11.5 million, a saving of $2.8 million for ratepayers.
This project is part of the Lord Mayor’s Road Action Program, which tackles Brisbane’s 21 worst congested roads and delivers traffic congestion reduction, increased safety and improved access across the city’s road network.
The project was also partly funded by the Federal Government’s Road to Recovery Program.
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