Gap Creek Road will be closed between the Gap Creek Reserve car park and the intersection of Gap Creek and Highwood Roads from 4 January 2010 for a period of approximately four months.

We would like to take this opportunity to thank motorists and local residents for their patience and understanding during these important works.

Project Background
Following a comprehensive feasibility study and community consultation, Brisbane City Council has commenced construction of Stage One of the Gap Creek Road upgrade.

Construction began on 16 November 2009 and is expected to be completed mid 2010, weather permitting.

Gap Creek Road and Dillon Road provide an important north-south link between Brookfield Road at Kenmore Hills and Payne Road at The Gap.

The existing road has several sharp bends and narrow sections, including a single-lane bridge at the Kenmore Hills end of the corridor. The section of Gap Creek Road that passes through Mt Coot-tha Forest is currently not sealed.

The Gap Creek Road Upgrade project is being completed in two stages.

Construction Update
On Monday 16 November 2009 a fenced site compound was established in Gap Creek Reserve to begin Stage One works.

Access to walking and mountain bike trails has not been impacted by the construction. Access to the car park will be maintained where possible.

Clearing works have commenced along Gap Creek Road and Highwood Road, and will take several weeks to complete. To protect fauna, spotters and catchers are on site at all times during clearing works. This ensures fauna can be safely captured and released outside the construction area.

Traffic along Gap Creek road may be restricted to a single lane along some sections. Traffic controllers and signage will be in place to guide motorists through the area.

Work will stop for the Christmas/New Year period – from 23 December 2009 to 3 January 2010 and resume on 4 January 2010.

Road Closure
Gap Creek Road will be closed between the Gap Creek Reserve car park and the intersection of Gap Creek and Highwood Roads from 4 January 2010 for four months.

This closure will enable Council to upgrade to the existing gravel section of road, including the single lane culvert crossing at Gap Creek Reserve, without having to construct a large side track through the adjoining bush reserve. This will significantly reduce the amount of tree clearing.

Signage advising motorists of the road closure will be in place at either end of Gap Creek Road and Dillon Road three weeks prior to the closure. Advertisements will be placed in the local newspaper.

Stage One - Construction
This includes sealing the gravel road through Mt Coot-tha Forest Park and upgrading the intersection at Kookaburra Street and Gap Creek Road. It will also involve:

• widening the single-lane bridge near Gap Creek Reserve to two lanes
• signposting the road to 50km/hour
• realigning sharp bends and removing earth from steep crests along the road.

Click here for the Stage One design details.

As a result of community consultation, the design also includes:

• speed platforms and slow points to maintain traffic speeds and protect fauna
• roundabouts at the two Highwood Road intersections to provide safe access and to act as a traffic slowing device
• modifications to the Kookaburra Street intersection
• three under-road culvert fauna crossings
• entry statements identifying the environmental significance of the area and the need to drive with care
• five-tonne load limit signs to restrict heavy vehicles using the road.

Stage Two – Detailed Design
Stage Two, including Gap Creek Road between Brookfield Road and Gap Creek Reserve, and Dillon Road between Payne Road and Highwood Road involves minor safety improvements as identified through a road safety audit conducted by Council.

Detailed design has just been completed and it will involve:

• widening the four existing culvert crossings
• localised road widening to improve safety
• providing a 1.2 metre wide pedestrian pathway on the eastern side of Gap Creek Road between Kookaburra Street and Brookfield Road
• installing a slow down speed device north of Kookaburra Street, before the right hand turn, to slow traffic and improve safety for pedestrians and wildlife
• sealing the Gap Creek Reserve car park
• replacing existing and installing new guardrails, where necessary
• signposting the road to 50km/hour
• revegetating areas disturbed by construction.
  
  Click here for the Stage Two design details.

Environmental Impacts
As part of the feasibility study, Council conducted an Environmental Impact Assessment. This identified that while the upgrade would have some impact on flora and fauna, this could be minimised through the detailed design and construction.

The Environmental Impact Assessment recommended developing:

• an Environmental Management Plan to manage all aspects of the upgrade’s construction
• a Vegetation Management Plan to minimise loss of existing vegetation and the potential spread of new species
• a Fauna Monitoring Program to identify impacts as a result of the upgrade and measures to address these impacts.

These plans have been developed and implemented.  The Fauna Monitoring Program began more than a year prior to construction and will continue for a year after construction is complete.

Communication
Council will continue to keep the community informed of the project’s status through newsletters and construction notifications.

For more information:

• call the project’s information line on 1800 199 757
• call Council on (07) 3403 8888
• email the project team
• write to Gap Creek Road upgrade
  Brisbane City Council, GPO Box 1434, Brisbane Qld 4001.