Sandgate homeowners and commuters are being invited to sit down with planners to help shape a massive infrastructure project designed to fix the notorious bottleneck where the Gateway Motorway meets the Bruce Highway.
Local Voices in the Planning Room
The project team is preparing to hit the road to meet with locals at several community hubs. The first of these sessions will be held at the Sandgate Scout Hall on Saturday, 28 March, from 9 am to 12 pm. For those who cannot make it to Sandgate, the team will also visit the Murrumba Downs Shopping Centre on Tuesday, 31 March, between 2 pm and 5 pm.
Throughout April, further meetings are scheduled for Westfield Chermside, the Bald Hills Scout Hall, and Bracken Ridge Plaza, before wrapping up at Westfield North Lakes on Saturday, 2 May. These informal drop-in sessions allow residents to look at updated maps, view artist impressions, and talk to the people actually drawing the plans.
A Two-Stage Fix for Northern Gridlock
Photo Credit: TMR
The upgrade is split into two main parts to manage the complex work required. The first stage, known as the Gateway to Bruce Upgrade, focuses on the stretch from Bracken Ridge through to the Pine River. This phase is already moving through the detailed design process, with heavy machinery expected to arrive on-site to start construction in late 2026.
This initial work aims to solve the daily traffic jams and safety risks that have bothered drivers on this part of the northern transport corridor for years. Officials have also launched an interactive website where the public can track milestones and see how the finished road will look.
Bridging the Gap Toward the Future
The second stage of the project will push further north, stretching from the Gateway Motorway interchange up to Dohles Rocks Road. While this part is still in the early design phase and needs more money before it can be built, the plans are ambitious. The design includes two brand-new bridges over the Pine River to carry extra lanes known as collector-distributor roads.
These roads will help separate local traffic from highway through-traffic, making merges much smoother. Nature has also been considered, with plans for a special animal underpass on the north side of the river and a longer pathway for people who prefer to walk or ride their bikes along the highway corridor.
Photo Credit: Dept of Transport and Main Roads
Published Date 17-March-2026
