Work starts on new highway ramps

Above: Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway, Premier Steven Miles, Senator Murray Watt and Transport Minister Bart Mellish at the site of the new on and off ramps.

Construction officially began today on the new $290 million Bruce Highway on and off ramps at Murrumba Downs and Griffin.

Premier Steven Miles, Transport Minister Bart Mellish, Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway and Senator Murray Watt launched the project.

The upgrade, between Dohles Rocks Rd and Anzac Ave, will see extended north-facing ramps to ease increasingly heavy highway traffic, congestion and local connectivity.

Motorists going north currently have to drive to North Lakes, where those coming south use the same intersection and to drive to Griffin.

“Like thousands of people in Moreton Bay, I spend a big part of my day on this road,” Premier Steven Miles, the State Member for Murrumba, said.

“That’s why this project is so important. It will add an ability for Griffin residents to join the highway going north.

“At the moment they have to drive through Murrumba Downs and Kallangur to get on the highway at Anzac Ave.

“This is the first stage of a much bigger upgrade in one of the most congested parts of the road. This $290 million project is expected to create 340 jobs.”

Moreton Bay City Deputy Mayor Jodie Shipway (Div 4) said it was a “welcome upgrade” for our community”.

“This is my division,” she said, “I know the residents of Griffin and surrounds will be extremely grateful for this project. This is what our community is screaming for."

Transport Minister Bart Mellish, Steve Member for Aspley, added the upgrade would stop “rat running” to get on the highway going north.

"These north-facing ramps will be a great win for locals and make the Bruce Highway a bit more liveable,” he said, “I can’t wait to see this get underway.”

The Federal Government is providing $232 million of the cost, Murray Watt, the Minister for Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, said.

“This is one of the choke points, so this (upgrade) will really benefit people commuting every day,” he said.

Early work is being done by RoadTek with the main construction contract to be awarded later this year.