Work on one of Queensland's largest road projects moves closer to happening.
Early works to pave the way for a major upgrade of Queensland's Gateway Motorway will soon get underway.
Infrastructure firm Fulton Hogan has been selected to carry out early works on the Gateway Motorway North project to prepare the route for major construction activities slated to get underway next year.
Fulton Hogan will be responsible for earthworks and drainage upgrades beside the existing motorway, with the works to include building part of the new embankment for the future realigned motorway and extending some of the major drainage structures.
"Fulton Hogan will be moving more than 200,000 cubic metres of soil and rock for this new section of the motorway to improve road safety and traffic efficiency," Queensland transport minister Scott Emerson says.
"The Gateway Motorway North project will include widening 11.3km of motorway from four to six lanes between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge, upgrading the Nudgee interchange and widening the Deagon deviation to two lanes in each direction.
"The early works are expected to be completed mid next year and major construction should get underway shortly thereafter."
Federal infrastructure minister Warren Truss says the upgrade, once complete, will improve travel times and freight efficiency.
"The appointment of Fulton Hogan to carry out these early works literally prepares the ground for the full upgrade of the motorway between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge," he says.
The Federal and Queensland governments are jointly funding the Gateway Motorway North project.