SEQ road congestion worse than pre-Covid levels
RACQ analysed data collected by Queensland’s Department of Transport and Main Roads. It showed 71 out of 132 (54%) road sections in Brisbane were slower in 2022 than in 2019 during the morning peak and 87 (66%) slower in the afternoon peak.
Head of Public Policy Dr Michael Kane said the Centenary Motorway between the Ipswich Motorway and Toowong was back to pre-Covid congestion levels in 2022.
“A weekday round trip took an extra 14:36 minutes if driving during the morning and afternoon peaks compared to off-peak times. Over a year^, that’s around 60 hours extra spent in your car because of congestion,” Dr Kane said.
“The Gateway Motorway from Nudgee to Pine River Bridge was heavily congested in the afternoon peak, recording an average speed of only 43.1 km/h over the 15.64km route. It took drivers an extra 11:27 minutes to get home each day due to congestion.
“In some good news, there are plans and funding available for Gateway Motorway upgrades in coming years and we hope to see these plans come to fruition sooner, rather than later.”
Dr Kane said the Pacific Motorway between Nielsens Road and the Logan River Bridge was also a frustrating pinch point for drivers – with a round trip taking an extra 13:45 minutes* in peak times compared to off-peak.
“These results highlight the need to continue improving and upgrading Queensland’s road network, including delivering the Coomera Connector from Nerang to Coomera.
“We must also continue to see the development of public and active transport networks to take more cars off the road and support population growth.”
The RACQ analysis also revealed how completed project corridors were drastically improving average travel speeds and times.
For example, during the morning peak, the average speed on the Pacific Motorway between Springwood and Underwood Road increased from 45.2 km/h in 2019 to 75.5 km/h in 2022, saving motorists 2:32 minutes* per trip.
The average speed for the Pacific Motorway between Gaza Road and Underwood Road in the afternoon peak increased from 44.3 km/h to 60 km/h, saving drivers around three minutes.
“These time savings are a direct result of upgrades delivered on the Pacific Motorway between the Gateway Motorway and Springwood in recent years and are a perfect example of what targeted funding for road improvements can achieve,” Dr Kane said.
RACQ congratulates the State and Federal Governments for their investment in such critical projects which have significantly reduced congestion and improved the livelihoods of Queenslanders.
^ based off 250 week days
*road works may have slightly reduced average travel times and speed
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