Riverside Expressway

Pacific Motorway

Queensland
General information
TypeExpressway
Length2 km (1.2 mi)
Route number(s) M3
Former
route number		 Metroad 3
Major junctions
North end Coronation Drive
Brisbane City
South end Pacific Motorway (Captain Cook Bridge)
Brisbane City
Highway system

The Riverside Expressway is part of the Pacific Motorway that runs through Brisbane, Queensland, Australia. It is located on the western side of the Brisbane CBD and is made up of various bridges and overpasses. The North Bank development is proposed to alleviate the visual disruption of the expressway and recapture Brisbane for pedestrians.

The Expressway runs the entire western length of the Brisbane CBD from Coronation Drive to the Captain Cook Bridge at Gardens Point, an estimated 3 kilometres (1.9 mi) before becoming the Pacific Motorway which ends at the Gold Coast.

The roadway has been described as a concrete barrier on the river's edge and an eyesore, however others have praised the dramatic and visually arresting views of the Brisbane River, city skyline and surrounds experienced by drivers and passengers on the elevated expressway.

Congestion

The Riverside Expressway runs parallel to the Brisbane River and George Street.

Traffic congestion in the central city area became problematic in the late 1950s and 1960s. The Story Bridge, William Jolly Bridge and Victoria Bridge were clogged with traffic wanting to cross from one side of town to the other. A traffic engineering company called Wilbur Smith and Associates was asked to study Brisbane's traffic problems by the state government.[1] They delivered a report, the Brisbane Transportation Study, which included plans for traffic management for many years.

In 2016, the road was the most congested in the state with average traffic speeds in afternoon peak times slowing to 19 km per hour.[2]

History

The expressway at night
Brisbane central business district and the Riverside Expressway over the Brisbane River, circa 1980

Construction on the Riverside Expressway began in late 1968, when the pylons for the bridge were laid on the north bank of the Brisbane River. It was built over the former Short Street which provided access to a wharf.[3] The bridge was completed in 1975 as was the Southeast Freeway to Holland Park.[1] The Brisbane River was used as a source for gravel to make much of the concrete used in construction. The freeway was opened on 22 July 1976 by Governor Sir Colin Hannah.[4]

The development of the Expressway necessitated an increase in Turbot Street's capacity as an arterial road, so the street was widened.[4]

In 2018, a three car accident at Greenslopes caused around a 10 km traffic delay including the whole of the Riverside Expressway.[5]

In February 2021, Extinction Rebellion staged a protest on the roadway at the Turbot Street offramp.[6]

2006 appearance of cracks

During September and October 2006, roadworks occurred on the Expressway, and surrounding structures, including the Captain Cook Bridge. Maintenance on these structures had not been done since its construction in the 1970s. On 17 October 2006, parts of the expressway were closed due to safety concerns regarding hairline cracks in the Alice Street and Ann St ramps.

The initial conclusion reached by engineers is that the hairline fracture, measuring over 2 metres long and 0.4 mm wide, was caused by the stress on the structure due to "The weight of both ramps is [now] balanced on one bearing and they are failing to shift their weight to their other bearings as designed."[7]

This road closure caused widespread delays for motorists travelling through the inner city. Public transport facilities were heavily utilised to travel to work at peak periods. Business activity in the Brisbane central business district was affected by a dramatic reduction in customers as shoppers avoided the area.

On 20 October 2006, Department of Main Roads workers successfully drove a 22 tonne truck up and down the Ann Street ramp deeming the ramp to have passed a weight test. The main section of the Expressway was reopened, except for the Alice St and Ann St ramps. A few days later the ramps were completely reopened to all but heavy vehicles.

Major intersections and crossings

At the northern end the road start where North Quay ends at the intersection with Herschel Street. Nearby the road is crossed by the Kurilpa Bridge. Entrance and exits are provided for both Turbot Street and Ann Street. The Riverside Expressway is then crossed by the Victoria Bridge. Further south there are entrances and exits for Elizabeth Street, Margaret Street and Alice Street.

Panorama of Brisbane in Oct 1995 with the Riverside Expressway on the right side.

See also

References

  1. 1 2 Gregory, Helen; Dianne Mclay (2010). Building Brisbane's History: Structure, Sculptures, Stories and Secrets. Warriewood, New South Wales: Woodslane Press. pp. 8–10. ISBN 9781921606199.
  2. ↑ "Queensland's worst traffic crawl spots revealed". The Queensland Times. 29 April 2016. Retrieved 26 October 2016.
  3. ↑ Field, Noel D.; Annabelle Stewart-Zerba (2014). "The Long Story of the Short Street Wharf". Brisbane: Schemes and Dreams: Nineteenth Century Arrivals Volume 23 of Papers (Brisbane History Group). Boolarong Press. p. 151. ISBN 978-1925046991. Retrieved 28 October 2016.
  4. 1 2 "Heritage Citation: St Andrew's Lutheran Church" (PDF). heritage.brisbane.qld.gov.au. Brisbane City Council. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  5. ↑ Crockford, Toby (20 July 2018). "Almost 10km delays clear after Pacific Motorway crash". The Canberra Times. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
  6. ↑ Crockford, Tony (10 February 2021). "Extinction Rebellion block Riverside Expressway off-ramp, clogging Pacific Motorway". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 21 November 2021.
  7. ↑ "Closure of sections of the Riverside Expressway and some onramps". Ministerial Media Statements. 17 October 2006.

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