Revealed: How much Qlders spend on tolls to get out of peak-hour traffic mayhem

A startling new report shows exactly how much Queenslanders are spending on toll roads each year, with peak-hour traffic now starting earlier and lasting longer.

The majority of drivers have been reduced to travelling just 50km/hr on one of Brisbane’s busiest roads, with a new report showing peak-hour traffic was starting earlier and lasting longer across the South East.

Queenslanders spent a whopping $588 million on tolls to avoid congestion over the past 12 months, according to Transurban’s 2022-23 financial year report.

All six toll roads operated by Transurban saw a dramatic rise in traffic over the last financial year, with combined revenue gains up 96 per cent on than the previous year.

An average 457,000 drivers used Brisbane toll roads daily, with the report showing trips saved commenters an estimated 86,000 hours.

Heat mapping also showed Brisbane’s peak-hour traffic was starting earlier and lasting longer, with motorists travelling on the Gateway Motorway facing significant congestion between 2pm and 7pm, when traffic slowed to as little at 20km/h.

The toll bridges on the Gateway Motorway. Picture: Richard Walker

The report stated traffic had now exceeded pre-pandemic levels and flagged the Gateway and Logan Motorways for possible expansion due skyrocketing congestion driven by sharp population growth around the South East corner.

Opportunities for “road enhancements” in line with the Brisbane 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games were also mentioned in the report.

The number of travellers choosing to take any of the six Brisbane toll roads rose by a substantial 9.4 per cent, earning Transurban a 15.5 per cent revenue increase for the year.

The Gateway Motorway was the company’s top earner, securing $280 million from 125,000 average daily trips, just beating the Logan Motorway’s $270 million intake from 203,000 trips.

The AirportlinkM7 came in third with $140 million revenue gained from just 63,000 trips. (AAP Image/John Pryke)

The AirportlinkM7 came in third with $140 million revenue gained from just 63,000 average trips, with the road experiencing a significant 16 per cent increase in car drivers and 18 per cent increase in truck drivers.

The Go Between Bridge was the least used toll road with only 10,000 daily trips, but still made an impressive $13 million.

The Clem7 and Legacy way made $68 and $60 million respectively from 31,000 and 25,0000 respective daily trips.

Heavy vehicle drivers started favouring the Clem7 and Legacy Way, with each road seeing a 19 per cent and 20 per cent increase in use.

Transurban’s 2022-23 financial year report showed the company raked in more than $4 billion in revenue.