Work Begins On Interchange Upgrade

Commuters will be one step closer to improved traffic conditions with construction beginning on a major intersection at Bald Hills.

A construction tender was awarded in January, and works were scheduled to commence last month, to transform the Gympie Arterial Road and Strathpine Road intersection into a diverging diamond interchange (DDI).

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said this groundbreaking interchange design was proven to reduce congestion and would make the busy intersection more efficient and much safer.

Diverging diamond interchanges are shaped like a diamond and consist of two key intersections at the top and bottom of the shape,� Bart said. Between these intersections, motorists actually drive on the right-hand side of the road.

While this may sound strange, it serves to alleviate one of the key pressures on a traditional interchange ' right-turning motorists crossing in front of oncoming traffic. Now these drivers can simply turn into exit lanes without interrupting traffic flow.

Australia's first interchange of this type in Caloundra has been highly successful.�

A Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said the project was set to be completed by mid-2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Under the Urban Congestion Fund, the Federal Government committed to jointly fund $30 million for the upgrade with the State Government.