Bracken Ridge is experiencing growing transport congestion due to stalled motorway upgrades and increased traffic flow along nearby major corridors.
Transport Strain Builds Around Bracken Ridge
Bracken Ridge has become increasingly affected by traffic congestion on surrounding arterial routes, with delays and incomplete roadworks placing additional pressure on local streets and commuter patterns.
Key Corridors Under Strain
The Gateway Motorway North, which runs adjacent to Bracken Ridge, recorded an average delay of 3.5 minutes during the afternoon peak in 2024. The $1-billion upgrade promised for this section between Deagon Deviation and Pine Rivers Bridge has been pending since 2019. With most of the work yet to begin, traffic continues to build along the corridor.
Nearby Sandgate Road, linking suburbs including Boondall, Geebung and Virginia, also recorded a 38.6% decline in afternoon peak speeds since 2019. This indirect pressure affects Bracken Ridge’s western access points through flow-on congestion.
Local Impact in Bracken Ridge
As traffic builds on the Gateway Motorway, drivers are increasingly diverting through local roads such as Bracken Ridge Road and Norris Road. This has affected school traffic, deliveries, and daily commuter movements within the suburb.
Bracken Ridge also faces indirect effects from congestion on nearby major routes like Gympie Road and the Bruce Highway, which are part of regional traffic arteries. RACQ’s 2024 Travel Speeds Report flagged Gympie Road (Kedron Park to Albany Creek Roads) as one of Brisbane’s slowest afternoon corridors, averaging just 24.8km/h.
Infrastructure Upgrades in Progress
Several projects aim to relieve long-term traffic strain on the area. These include:
- Gateway Motorway Upgrade (Bracken Ridge to Pine River): The project is set to expand the motorway from four to six lanes and upgrade the Bracken Ridge Road interchange. Procurement is underway.
- Bruce Highway Upgrade (Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road): The project will enhance ramps and interchanges and construct new bridges, which are currently being planned.
- Norris Road Upgrades: Pavement widening and improved access to local facilities completed with $5 million in federal funding.
- Barbour and Norris Roads Intersection: Targeting congestion and safety. Early works began in 2021.
- Hoyland Street Widening: The section between Kluver Street and Bracken Ridge Road was widened to four lanes, and the footpath and lighting were upgraded.
Active Transport Paths Expanded
The Gateway Upgrade North project has included an off-road shared pedestrian and cycling path connecting Bracken Ridge to the Kedron Brook Bikeway. This path includes grade-separated crossings and aims to improve local mobility beyond cars.
Ongoing Pressure Without Resolution
Despite the upgrades, the RACQ has highlighted the risk of ongoing delays and congestion across South East Queensland without a cohesive long-term plan. Proposals include extending Brisbane Metro services and completing the outer motorway ring around Brisbane to reduce traffic funneling into the CBD.
Bracken Ridge remains directly affected by regional delays and the pending completion of major upgrades. Without further infrastructure delivery before the 2032 Olympic Games, congestion may worsen across the suburb and surrounding corridors.
Published 16-Apr-2025
Photo Credit: Pexels
