The $110 million Port Drive Upgrade has been completed, giving the Port of Brisbane world class road access to the south-east Queensland catchment.
PBPL CEO, Roy Cummins was joined by Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey and Member for Lytton Joan Pease to celebrate the completion of the project almost two years since major construction began.
“The Port Drive Upgrade is the biggest road project ever undertaken by the Port of Brisbane and is a significant infrastructure investment designed to help future-proof the Port as it continues to grow”, said Mr Cummins.
“This work has delivered significant safety benefits for all road users - it will boost efficiency for our customers and also delivers community benefits like safer access to the Whyte island boat ramp.
“This project is crucial because the Port of Brisbane is the ‘beating heart’ of Queensland’s economy, handling around $50 billion in international trade annually with the precinct home to more than 70 businesses, supporting thousands of jobs.
“Every year, more than 3.1 million vehicles travel on port roads, and as trade continues to grow, so too does the Port itself.
“It’s absolutely vital that we continue to invest in road, rail and waterside infrastructure that will support the growth of this vital asset for the state.”
Mr Bailey dedicated the new Port Drive shared path, also constructed by the Port of Brisbane, to the late Mr Peter Frawley – a respected employee of DP World Australia and a much-loved father and husband who tragically lost his life in a road accident while cycling on port roads in 2007.
“This project is a great example of private industry working with government to deliver a project that will benefit all Queenslanders,” Mr Bailey said.
“The Port of Brisbane is of course a vitally important piece of infrastructure, and the completion of this road will ultimately save time and money.
“I congratulate the Port on this fantastic achievement.
Member for Lytton Joan Pease said she was thrilled to see so much activity at the port.
“It’s projects like this that give people in the local area jobs, which gives the wider Bayside area an economic boost,” she said.
“I look forward to watching the Port continue to grow as Brisbane transforms into a true world city.”
The Port Drive Upgrade Project has been recognised for its sustainability and innovation, with the project incorporating a number of Australian and Queensland ‘firsts’ and also receiving an ‘Excellent’ rating for its Design by the Infrastructure Sustainability Council of Australia (ISCA). The project is on track to achieve the same ‘excellent’ rating for As Constructed.
Source: Port of Brisbane