Queensland completes first major structure on Gateway Upgrade North project

Australia's Queensland Government has opened Nudgee Road Bridge, the first structure completed on the A$1.142bn ($913m) Gateway Upgrade North project.

The new bridge travels through Nudgee and Bracken Ridge.

Australia Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said: "Completion of the bridge at Nudgee Road is a significant step towards delivering the Gateway Upgrade North project, reducing congestion and improving safety for the people of Brisbane."

For the Gateway Upgrade North project, the Australian Government has committed more than A$914m ($731m), while the Queensland Government will provide over A$228m ($182m) of funding.

Queensland Acting Minister for Main Roads Road Safety and Ports Steven Miles said: "The interchange upgrade will ultimately deliver extended on and off-ramps to support traffic growth, as well as a cycling and pedestrian path over the motorway connecting to local networks."

"The interchange upgrade will ultimately deliver extended on and off-ramps to support traffic growth."

The Nudgee Road Bridge is expected to ease congestion on the motorway and the surrounding road network.

Miles further noted that the new bridge was an integral part of the Nudgee Road interchange.

As part of the Gateway Upgrade North project, the Nudgee Road interchange was reconfigured to include a new bridge, alongside a relocated and extended northbound on-ramp.

The opening of the new bridge will see the deconstruction of the old existing bridge during the next few months.

The Gateway Upgrade North project is expected to be completed by the end of next year.