An LNP Government will slash travel times and increase average speeds along a 12-kilometre corridor of Gympie Road through a $20 million congestion-busting plan.
LNP Leader Deb Frecklington said Gympie Road consistently ranked inside the Top 10 on RACQ’s annual Red Spot Congestion Survey and took out sixth place in 2020.
The LNP’s strategy involves improving traffic signal synchronisation from Beams Road to the Royal Brisbane and Women’s Hospital, removing key bottlenecks, better sequence of traffic signals, investigate upgrading key intersections at Hamilton Road and Kedron Park Road, adding turning lanes and the possible removal of some traffic lights.
The Gympie Road corridor upgrade and congestion plan will be funded through the LNP’s SEQ Congestion Program – a pipeline of new road and rail upgrades that will stimulate the economy and create 3100 constructions jobs.
The LNP’s comprehensive plan will cut travel time by 5 minutes during peak and increase average speed times for motorists by 20km/hour.
“Gympie Road is a corridor of traffic lights and brake lights,” Ms Frecklington said.
“The key thoroughfare into Brisbane from the north should be efficient and productive, but it’s been neglected by Labor for years.
“There are 35 traffic lights between Beams Rd and the Royal Brisbane and with 70,000 cars using Gympie Rd every day, it’s a recipe for congestion and crashes.
“Congestion on Gympie Rd is costing the local economy millions while traffic crawls through congested intersections.
“Gympie Rd will only get worse without smarter intersections and that’s what the LNP will deliver.
“Better coordination of signals along the corridor and upgraded intersections will streamline the Gympie Rd commute.
“Busting congestion will give local businesses a boost, helping them create even more jobs in the future.
“With more than 234,000 Queenslanders out of work, the LNP will get shovels in the ground on Gympie Rd as soon as possible.
“The LNP will invest for growth and get commuters along Gympie Rd home sooner and safer.
“Only the LNP has a plan to stimulate the economy, drag Queensland out of recession and create a decade of secure jobs.”
RACQ data shows the average speed on Gympie Rd was consistently around half the signed speed limit.
Last month the RACQ revealed that the stretch of Gympie Rd from Park Rd to Rode Rd cost the local economy almost $800,000 last year. The 1 kilometre stretch from Rode Rd to Hamilton Rd drained the economy my $700,000.
LNP MP for Clayfield Tim Nicholls said cutting travel times for drivers would make business better for local employers.
“The LNP’s plan for Gympie Rd will take the handbrake off businesses impacted by congestion delays and costs,” Mr Nicholls said.
“A holistic solution to Gympie Rd congestion is needed now and that’s what an LNP Government will deliver.
“The northside of Brisbane is booming but investment in Gympie Rd has gone bust under Labor.
“The LNP will fix Gympie Rd and unlock the potential of businesses along this key thoroughfare of Brisbane.”
LNP candidate for Aspley Amanda Cooper said the corridor upgrade and congestion plan was on top her party’s pledge to build a $90m overpass across Gympie Rd at Carseldine.
“The overpass will remove the first major intersection for motorists travelling into Brisbane from the north,” Ms Cooper said.
“Our corridor upgrade and congestion plan will also consider removing other sets of traffic lights to eliminate long bottlenecks.
“Only the LNP will get Gympie Rd moving and get local businesses growing.”
