Govt commits $15m for Brisbane’s first diverging diamond interchange

The State Government has committed $15 million to build the first diverging diamond interchange in Brisbane as a means of tackling congestion.

An image showing the current Strathpine Rd/Gympie Arterial Rd interchange which connects with Hoyland St at Bald Hills. Source: Google Maps

THE State Government has committed $15 million to build the first diverging diamond interchange in Brisbane as a means of tackling congestion.

The upgrade at Bald Hills will be only the second diverging diamond interchange (DDI) in the state, after one currently under construction at Caloundra Rd/Bruce Highway.

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Bald Hills interchange upgrade proposal is a gem

The State Government has already spent $2 million on the project’s design at the Strathpine Rd/Gympie Arterial Rd interchange, which connects with Hoyland St.

An artist impression of the proposed Strathpine Rd/Gympie Arterial Rd diverging diamond interchange. Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the $15 million project allocation announced in this week’s State Budget would create 45 jobs and tackle peak congestion.

“Through a DDI design, traffic is switched to the other side of the road, eliminating the need to cross the path of oncoming cars or wait for a green light to turn right,” he said.

“Project details and timing are subject to further planning and negotiation with the Federal Government, noting the Queensland Government’s priority is upgrading the Strathpine Rd interchange from the Federal Government’s commitment for ‘Gympie Arterial Road Funding’. Funding starts from 2020.”

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Earlier this year, a Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesman said the interchange was “a good option for at-grade separated locations (where roads are different heights) where there is a high number of right-turn movements such as the Strathpine Rd-Gympie Arterial Rd interchange”.

“The interchange currently experiences high levels of vehicle movement, with 20,000 vehicles per day,” the spokesman said.

“It plays an important role connecting the major activity centre of Strathpine and growth areas west of the Bruce Highway with the arterial road network.”