Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade Archives

Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade Completed, $30 Rebate Announced

The $650-million Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade has been completed and features six lanes of traffic between Cooksley Street and Theodore Street in Hamilton.

The upgraded Kingsford Smith Drive was officially opened last 27 October 2020. The speed limit along this arterial road was also restored to 60km/h from 40km/h.

$15 million project savings to result in $30 rebate

The council also announced the project was delivered $15 million under budget, hence, rate payers will be provided with a one-off rate rebate of almost $30 to be applied to rate notices issued 1 January 2021. The rebate effectively extends the six-month freeze on new rates for an additional quarter.

The massive project was first announced in 2013 which involved the widening of the road to six lanes allowing it to accommodate 70,000 vehicles each day. Expected to be delivered in 2019, the project was delayed for a year due to geotechnical issues.

Last year, the company contracted to deliver the upgrade project, Lendlease, reported a $47 million project cost blowout due to issues with the river’s retaining wall. Lendlease shouldered the additional cost of the project. Then-lord mayor Graham Quirk said that he was expecting very little of the contingency fund to be saved.

Cr Schrinner described the project as an engineering marvel which has employed more than 5,000 people who have, over the life of the project, undertaken more than 4.1 million work hours.

The now six-lane Kingsford Smith Drive links the CBD to the Airport, Port of Brisbane, Northshore Hamilton and Australia TradeCoast area. The upgraded road features two built out over the Brisbane River, intersection upgrades, and enhanced safety for road users.

The Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade project involved the addition of two new lanes and 7 kilometres of revitalised outdoor space with pedestrian and cycle lanes, 10 intersection modifications and 11 upgraded bus stops.

Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade: Riverwalk, Cameron Rocks Reserve to Open With a Family Event

Two sites of the Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade have finally been completed. To celebrate this progress, the Council is hosting a Community Open Day at the improved Cameron Rocks Reserve and the new Riverwalk.

Happening on Saturday, the 22nd of June 2019, the free event for the whole family will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Explore this reinvigorated public place with a guided tour from the Nundah Historical Society. Meet the artist Kenji Uranishi whose art beacons, dubbed the “Magnificent Flying Machines,” decorate the Cameron Rocks Reserve.

A series of Pilates class, on the other hand, will be underway at the park next to the mini-golf area. Kiosks will also be installed for these community groups below, as well as the members of the Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade if want to know more about this project.

Cycling Brisbane
Heart Foundation
Nundah Historical Society
Racecourse Road Business Group
Zonta International

Food and drinks stalls, an arts and crafts area and a fishing section should keep families busy.

A limited but secure car park will be open on Yulestar Street. However, visitors are enjoined to cycle, walk or take public transport to the event.

The Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade aims to ease traffic congestion and improve the road conditions in one of Brisbane’s busiest traffic network. The project covers Toorak Road (Hamilton), Racecourse Road (Ascot), Theodore Street (Eagle Farm), Cooksley Street (Hamilton), and Breakfast Creek Road (Albion).

Upgrade Underway for Kingsford Smith Drive, Closing Three Streets In Hamilton

Upgrade construction is underway on Kingsford Smith Drive in Hamilton and three streets will have to close in the process.

Brisbane City Council is spending $650 million for the upgrades which involve road and marine works to reduce traffic congestion, boost safety, and create a new entry statement to the city.

The Kingsford Smith Drive is a major road that links the CBD to the Brisbane Airport, Port of Brisbane, Northshore Hamilton, and the Australia TradeCoast area.

Road Closure Schedule:

As part of the construction, several roads in Hamilton will be closed for a period of time.

18 July

Oxford Street – closed for up to two months

23 July

Riverview Terrace – closed for up to eight months

29 July

Day Street – closed for up to five weeks

The upgrades specifically involve:

Road widening from four to six lanes between Theodore Street at Eagle Farm and Cooksley Street in Hamilton
Improvement works on Cookley Street and Breakfast Creek Road in Albion
Improvements on pedestrian and cycle facilities
Upgrades on public transport included indented bus stops

The most significant upgrade is making an entry statement to the city and the design includes:

tree-lined boulevard
new RiverWalk and segregated cycle path with dedicated rest areas
new urban plaza and parkland at Bretts Wharf
rejuvenated Cameron Rocks Reserve including a new lawn that highlights the heritage-listed war memorial
continuous footpaths on both sides of the road
On-road cycle lands between Theodore Street and Harbour Road

Councillor David McLachlan is asking the local community for their patience and provides assurance that the project will deliver great outcomes.

You can visit the Visitor Centre at 605 Kingsford Smith Drive for more project information and to see the 3D project models and fly-throughs. It is open from 7:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday to Friday.

Project Information

The upgrade is scheduled for completion in 2019.

Hamilton Maintains Spot in Queensland’s Million Dollar Club as More Developments Underway

New research from the property research firm Core Logic revealed that the number of million-dollar suburbs in Queensland has doubled over the past 10 years. The state now has 38 suburbs that have a median home value of more than $1 million.

Whilst 50 percent of the suburbs that made it to the list are newcomers, Hamilton remains a mainstay on the list, withstanding the test of time.

Real estate properties continue to bloom, proving that the suburb can offer more. For instance, a regal home on 30 Windemere Road just hit the market for $1.2 million. The property has a room exclusive for wine storage. In fact, it can house an amazing 3,000 bottles of wine inside its wine cellar. The expansive room also has a table for eight for special dinners. Outside, the luxurious house has a champion-sized tennis court, a pool, and its own gym.

Hamilton has been included in what dubbed as the million dollar club since 2007. Based on other developments in the suburb, Hamilton will maintain its position in the years to come.

World’s Longest EV Super Highway Passes Hamilton

The Queensland Government has announced in January that the first phase of the Electric Super Highway has already been completed. The construction is set to become the world’s longest electric supercharger highway in a single state.

With the completion of the first phase, fast-charging stations are now installed in Hamilton, as well as in Bowen, cairns, Carnila, Childers, Gatton, Gold Coast Airport, Mackay, Marlborough, Marybough, Miriam, Vale, Rockhampton, Springfield, Sunshine Coast, Townsville, Toowoomba, and Tully.

The project aims to encourage, support, and accelerate the uptake of electric vehicles in Queensland.

Queensland Electric Super Highway Map Credit: Queensland Government

Kingsford Smith Drive Upgrade – Hamilton

In November 2017, the Brisbane City Council announced that construction is well underway for road upgrades at Kingsford Smith drive. The project shall see more bus stops to accommodate the future increases in bus services along the corridor. It shall transform the routes into one corridor with the Brisbane River as the centrepiece. Overall, the upgrade shall boost business and economic development to help Hamilton adapt to more future developments.