Gatton Bypass Duplication
Length: 21km - From Gatton-Esk Rd (MR 4144), Lawes to Gatton-Helidon Rd
(MR 314), Helidon.
History
Studies were first undertaken to plan for the construction of a bypass of
Gatton by the Main Roads Department in the 1960s. Early planning was for a
route to the south of town about 5km long. This early route passed through the
area of today's Apex Lake. Flooding in 1974 highlighted the need to create a
flood free bypass, which led to the selection of the northern route.
The current 21km bypass route was adopted by Main Roads in 1975. Construction
and design commenced in 1984/1985 with the route complete and opened to traffic
in 1989. At its opening the bypass was 2 lane single carriageway with provision
for expansion to a 4 lane dual carriageway highway as demand increased. Limited
funding saw the duplication efforts postponed and supplemental overtaking lanes
were constructed in 1993/1994.
Duplication
The recent duplication project involved the addition of a new carriageway to
the north of the existing bypass. The new carriageway will formed the eastbound
traffic lanes with the original carriageway lanes adapted to form the westbound
lanes.
The duplication project also included duplication of the existing western
interchange at Helidon and construction of a new eastern interchange at
Gatton-Esk Rd.
The Gatton Bypass duplication project was been divided into three sections
released as separate construction packages to the project's contractors.
Package 1
Length: 5.1km - Eastern End (Gatton-Esk Rd) to Adare Rd Overpass
Package 1 included duplication of 5.1km of highway, construction
of overpasses at the Gatton-Esk Rd, bridges over Lockyer Creek and Adare Rd.
The $10.6 million contract was been awarded to Bielby Holdings. Sub-contractors
for Bielby were Bornhorst and Ward (design) and J F Hull (bridgeworks).
Construction commenced in September 2002.
Package 2
Length 10.1km - Adare Rd Overpass to Sandy Creek
Package 2 involved the duplication of 10km of highway and
construction of bridges over Smithfield Rd, Philps Rd and Sandy Creek. This
package was split into separate contracts for design phase and construction
phase. RoadTek, the commercial division of Main Roads completed the design phase
in December 2001. The $8.4 million construction phase contract was awarded to
Stockport, which began construction in May 2002. Stockport's parent company
later went into receivership and work on Package 2 stopped temporarily.
Stockport was acquired by Global Pacific Group and work later resumed.
Package 3
Length 5.0km - Sandy Creek to Helidon
Package 3 involved the duplication of 5km of highway and
duplication of the railway overbridge at Helidon. It also included
modifications to the Helidon Interchange. This package was also divided into
design and construct contracts. Farr Evrat Engineers of Toowoomba was awarded
the design contract for Package 3.
MEDIA RELEASE
Federal Minister for Transport and Regional Services, John
Anderson:
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23 May 2001
FEDERAL FUNDS TO ELIMINATE DEADLY STRETCH OF HIGHWAY AT GATTON
The Federal Government today committed funds for an immediate start on
duplicating the Gatton bypass – one of the most crash-prone stretches of
highway in Queensland, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Transport
and Regional Services, John Anderson, announced today.
The good news is that the $30 million is in addition to substantial roads
funding for Queensland announced in last night’s Federal Budget.
The money is coming from $400 million the Federal Government set aside for
major highway improvements when it announced the $1.2 billion Roads to
Recovery program in November last year.
Upgrading the 19 kilometre Gatton bypass to four lanes is expected to reduce
dramatically the incidence of death and injury on this section of the Warrego
Highway. Following the recent completion of the Marburg bypass duplication,
it will extend continuous four-lane divided highway conditions over the
entire 140 kilometres between Brisbane and Toowoomba.
The proposed work includes an elevated interchange at the Gatton–Esk Road
intersection serving traffic bound for Brisbane and the university
agricultural campus at Lawes. Its construction will remove an 80 kph speed
zone for Warrego Highway traffic.
Mr Anderson also announced today a $64 million road safety package for the
Ipswich Motorway (also new funding), resulting in fewer delays for
Brisbane-bound motorists.
The combined $94 million in additional spending for the highway network in
south-east Queensland is aimed at addressing safety issues and overcoming
congestion.
“It will also make a marked difference to the well-being and economy of
communities served by the Ipswich Motorway and Warrego Highway,” Mr Anderson
said.
“Together with the firm plans to establish a timetable leading to
construction of a second range crossing at Toowoomba, the Federal Government
is making an enormous contribution to the transport infrastructure of what
has become an important growth corridor generating jobs and wealth for the national
economy.”
However, Mr Anderson said the greatest outcome from the Gatton bypass
duplication to four lanes would be in lives saved.
“The existing road is not poorly constructed. Traffic analysts believe the
main factor contributing to the crash rate on this section of highway is
caused by fatigued drivers familiar with four-lane conditions either side of
the bypass not adjusting their driving to two-lane conditions.
“It appears some drivers don’t realise they are travelling on a two-lane
road.”
Eight people have died in 80 crashes recorded on the bypass between 1990 and
1998. A further four people died in the latter months of 2000.
Mr Anderson said he sympathised with the friends and relatives of those who
had died and said the Federal Government had done more than any other level
of government to reduce road deaths in high-speed traffic environments.
“Generally, converting two-lane roads to divided highways results in an 80
per cent reduction in crashes. My only regret is that we can’t build more
four-lane highways, but we must address the worst black spots as they are
brought to the Government’s attention and as available funding permits.
“That funding is now available, after considerable lobbying from the Federal
Member for Blair, Cameron Thompson, Federal Member for Groom, Ian Macfarlane,
Queensland Senator Ron Boswell and State Leader of the National Party, Mike
Horan.”
Mr Anderson said he had instructed the Federal Department of Transport and
Regional Services to expedite the project.
“And I expect that the Queensland Department of Transport will do likewise
and call tenders for construction as soon as possible.”
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created Oct 2002. Revised 9 Jun 2005.