Milestone reached in Telegraph Road corridor upgrade

TWO major milestones have been reached on the final stage of the Telegraph Rd corridor upgrade in Bracken Ridge.

TWO major milestones have been reached on the final stage of the Telegraph Rd corridor upgrade in Bracken Ridge.

From tonight (Tuesday) the existing roundabout at the Telegraph Rd, Depot Rd and Lemke Rd intersection will be removed and the newly-constructed Lemke Rd bridge will open to traffic for the first time.

Infrastructure Chairman and local Councillor Amanda Cooper said the opening of the new bridge would reduce queuing toward the Telegraph Rd intersection.

Cr Amanda Cooper on the newly-constructed Lemke Rd bridge which will open to traffic for the first time tonight.

“The new 74 metre long bridge has been constructed adjacent to the existing bridge and is three metres higher to improve flood immunity to withstand a one-in-100-year flood,” she said.

“Construction of the new bridge has taken eight months to complete with 3500 tonnes of concrete used to construct the 138 decking units which form a four-lane bridge.”

Cr Cooper said that, from tonight, the current Telegraph Rd roundabout would be removed, with construction to start on reconfiguring the intersection.

“The intersection upgrade is the final section of works on the Telegraph Rd project, with the road set to open later in the year,” she said.

“Removing the roundabout at the intersection of Telegraph, Depot and Lemke Rds will cut traffic congestion in all directions and put a stop to queuing of up to 430 metres during peak periods.

Roadworks surround the Telegraph Rd, Bracken Ridge roundabout.

“A temporary signalised T-intersection will be installed while works are underway and Council will provide a safe, signalised pedestrian and cyclist crossing, to allow access across Lemke Rd, while a permanent crossing is installed as part of the final design.”

Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said, “The $140 million final stage of the Telegraph Rd corridor upgrade will complete the upgrade of the entire 4.3km corridor to four lanes, flood proofing and adding capacity to this major suburban connector.

“This congestion-busting upgrade will deliver up to 12-minute travel time savings during the afternoon peak by 2031.”