Date: 2009-06-23
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New tolls will apply for motorists accessing the Gateway and Logan motorways from 1 July, Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said today. The new tolls include the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for the past 12 months and, with some exceptions, an adjustment for CPI rises prior to 2005.
(Media-Newswire.com) - New tolls will apply for motorists accessing the Gateway and Logan motorways from 1 July, Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said today.
The new tolls include the Consumer Price Index (CPI) increase for the past 12 months and, with some exceptions, an adjustment for CPI rises prior to 2005.
“The new tolls will apply to all vehicles using the Gateway Bridge, Gateway Extension and Logan Motorway toll points,” Mr Wallace said.
“The transition to free-flow tolling will also start from 1 July, but other than annual CPI increases and CPI catch-ups, the tolls will not increase to cover the costs of free-flow tolling until the Gateway Upgrade Project is completed in 2011 when motorists will experience the full benefits.
“The need to adjust tolls in a CPI catch-up, and to maintain their real value over time, is part of an overarching tolling strategy announced by the State Government in February 2005.
“The toll changes are necessary to fund ongoing road improvements and finance the Gateway Upgrade Project.
“Until 2005, tolls had largely been fixed at the same rate since 1993 for the Gateway Bridge, and since 1997 on the Logan Motorway, except for the rounding of coinage with the introduction of GST in 2000.”
Queensland Motorways Limited CEO Phil Mumford said rounding of toll prices will no longer occur from 1 July, with the exception of cash customers using the toll booths during the initial transition period to free-flow tolling.
“During this period, cash payments will be rounded to the nearest five cents,” Mr Mumford said.
“On the Gateway Bridge tolls will increase seven cents for motorcycles to $1.37, five cents for cars and small trucks to $2.95 and by 16 cents for heavy vehicles to $7.36.
“The Kuraby toll point (Gateway Extension) will see an increase of seven cents for cars and small trucks to $1.97. Heathwood and Paradise Road (Logan Motorway) will see an increase of 10 cents for cars and small trucks to $2.10.
“Tolls will decrease for motorcycles on the Gateway Extension and Logan motorways by one cent to $0.79 and cars and small trucks at Loganlea (Logan Motorway) by two cents to $1.18.
“Tolls for heavy vehicles on the Gateway Extension and Logan Motorway will increase by 27 cents to $3.47 at Loganlea and by 33 cents to $4.83 at Kuraby, Heathwood and Paradise Road.
“From 1 July the automatic cash lanes at all toll points, with the exception of Paradise Road, will be closed, as they are not suited to handling five cent coins. This will also assist us with our transition to free-flow tolling.”
The $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project is being delivered by Queensland Motorways, on behalf of the State Government, to meet the increased traffic demands of south-east Queensland.
Construction of this landmark project began in March 2007 and is expected to be completed by 2011. It includes the duplication of the existing Gateway Bridge and the upgrade of nearly 20 kilometres of associated motorway.
“The project is on schedule with progress on the second Gateway Bridge now highly visible to passing motorists and from the river,” Mr Wallace said.
“By 2011, the twin bridges will carry six lanes northbound and six lanes southbound, doubling the current traffic capacity of the bridge.
“Seven kilometres of new motorway through airport land to Nudgee Road north of the bridges is set to be opened in the next month. The 12-kilometre upgrade south of the bridge to Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road is also advancing.”
Customers requiring any additional information on the toll increases or Queensland Motorways’ road network can call 1300 55 99 40 or visit qldmotorways.com.au
Media contact: Minister Wallace’s office 3896 3689
Quick facts
Until 2005, tolls had largely been fixed at the same rate since 1993 for the Gateway Bridge, and since 1997 on the Logan Motorway, except for the rounding of coinage with the introduction of GST in 2000.
Tolls have increased annually in line with the CPI for the past four years.
In 2005 the State Government decided to reinstate the real value of the tolls, which at that time had not risen since 1998 except for a GST increase in 2000.
CPI catch-ups are being applied in three stages for the Gateway Bridge in 2005, 2008 and in 2011.
CPI catch-ups were not applied to heavy vehicles on the Gateway Extension and Logan Motorway during 2005-2007. They are being applied in 2008, 2009 and 2010.