Qld traffic: More traffic chaos as storms again target battered southeast

Peak hour has come early to flood-ravaged Brisbane as a call to collect schoolchildren early put more traffic on the roads.

Traffic madness has kicked off early in Brisbane this afternoon, following Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s live TV announcement advising southeast parents to collect their children from school.

Traffic has built up along Boundary St near the Brisbane Grammar and Girls Grammar schools, with delays stretching back on to North St and Wickham Terrace. Southeast Queensland is bracing for another day of traffic chaos as very dangerous storms smash the region that has already seen multiple roads and public transport links closed and trains cancelled due to the ongoing severe weather conditions.

Traffic is also heavy near St Joseph’s College Gregory Terrace on Roger St, as well as Union and Florence streets, as cars make their way out of the school district.

Cars trying to access Wickham Terrace have come to a standstill on northbound Parkland Boulevard, with traffic stretching around Roma Street Parkland.

Traffic was building back on to College Rd behind Gregory Tce and Boundary St.

North of Brisbane, Gympie Arterial Rd and the northbound Gateway Motorway near Bald Hills appear to be most affected, however almost all inner-city intersections are showing some level of congestion.

Train services have only partially resumed, and TransLink said just before 2pm all trains had been delayed up to 30 minutes due to severe weather.

On Wednesday, the State Government announced free public transport and tolls across the southeast as it recovers from this week’s flood disaster however train services across South East Queensland have been thrown into disarray again following Thursday morning’s severe storm with delays of up to 60 minutes expected across all lines.

Flooding over the tracks at Fortitude Valley had led to services being briefly suspended between Central and Bowen Hills.

“We thank you for your patience while we worked to resolve this issue,” the rail operator said in a Facebook post.

Severe storms are impacting services further that are still recovering ☔🌧️. All train services are now suspended between Central & Bowen Hills stations. Ensure you check our website & use the journey planner or app, as services are changing regularly 👉 https://t.co/vmt11RqDNfpic.twitter.com/eoTml3Gke8

— TransLink (@TransLinkSEQ) March 2, 2022

Transport Minister Mark Bailey said the Ipswich and Ferny Grove lines had also been impacted by the Thursday morning storm.

Services between Nambour and Caboolture have also been suspended after a tree got caught in an overhead line.

From today, public transport will be free throughout the southeast in order to prevent further traffic delays throughout the region.

Earlier on Thursday, traffic was gridlocked again on many major roads as rising waters cut major roads again, including Ann St in Fortitude Valley.

The Pacific Motorway was slow northbound from the Gold Coast to Brisbane, particularly around the Logan Motorway turn-off.

Traffic backs on Peel St, as the Go Between bridge was closed. Photo: Steve Pohlner

Loganlea Rd was closed between Rosella St and the Logan Hospital and between University Drive and Nunjooloo Rd.

The Gateway Motorway was heavily congested at Eight Mile Plains with northbound traffic crawling through to Carindale.

Heavy congestion also along Mains Rd for northbound motorists merging on to the Pacific Motorway.

Motorists are also facing significant delays along the Pacific Motorway between Mount Gravatt and Greenslopes.

Abbotsford Road has been closed in both directions due to flooding between Alison St and Burrows St in Bowen Hills.

Meanwhile, a 31-year-old man involved in a fatal motorcycle crash in North Queensland on Wednesday night has been charged.

The man was riding a motorcycle with a 27-year-old woman from Whitfield on the back when it failed to navigate a corner and crashed on Barrier St, Port Douglas, about 6pm.

The pair were thrown from the bike and paramedics took the woman to hospital with critical injuries, however she died overnight.

Police will allege the man, from Port Douglas, was affected by an intoxicating substance.

He has been charged with dangerous operation of a vehicle causing death while affected by an intoxicating substance, drink-driving and unlicensed driving.

He was granted bail and is to face Mossman Magistrates Court on March 23.

Forensic Crash Unit investigations are ongoing and witnesses have been asked to contact police, especially those who may have dashcam footage of the crash.