Length:

1802 km (Brisbane River to Bald Hills: 22 km)

Termini:

Northern: Draper St (unnumbered), Portsmith

Southern: NSW Border at Tugun

Miscellaneous:

Continues as Pacific Mwy (M1) in NSW

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Eagle Farm, Brisbane Airport, Banyo, Nudgee, Nudgee Beach, Boondall, Taigum, Deagon, Bracken Ridge and Bald Hills

Current: M1

Former: 1 1 20

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

N332

General Information:

The M1 / A1 corridor is the main coastal route from the NSW border to the northern tip of the east coast of Australia, and links major cities and towns with Brisbane, and beyond the NSW border, Sydney.

The Gateway Motorway passes through Brisbane's eastern suburbs, and services mostly residential and industrial areas, both north and south of the Brisbane River. It provides access to ports and the airport.

The Gateway Motorway features dual bridges over the Brisbane River, once known as the Gateway Bridges, but now named Sir Leo Hielscher Bridges, named after an Australian senior public servant and administrator. The bridges operate under an electronic tolling system where motorists pay via a transponder or temporary online account.

The bridges have a number of interesting features including: ²

A height clearance of 55 m over the high tide mark of the Brisbane River, to allow the largest of ships to pass safely under the bridge.

A clear span width of at least 230 m so ships of varying size and width could safely manoeuvre under the bridge.

A maximum 80 m height of the superstructure (including the height of the lamp posts and direction signs) so as not to interfere with flight paths of aircraft taking off or landing at Brisbane Airport.

At the time of its completion, the bridge boasted a number of Australian and world class achievements, including: ²

The longest cantilevered concrete box girder main river span, at a length of 260 m.

An erection truss weighing 650 t.

Stressing cables in the approach spans were the highest loaded cables in a structure in Australia, with 2200 t of 12 mm low relaxation stressing strand.

Bridge bearings, with a maximum tested load of 4300 t, were the biggest pot bearings made in Australia.

Gateway Motorway:

June 1980: The Gateway Bridge Company was established to oversee construction of the Gateway Bridge and, following construction, to maintain the bridge and collect tolls. ³

August 1980 Work began on the six-lane Gateway Bridge over Brisbane River. ²

December 1985: The Gateway Bridge and motorway approaches were completed.

1986: The Gateway Arterial was constructed in two stages and was completed.

11 January 1986: The original Gateway Bridge was officially opened. ⁴ Around 200,000 people attended the opening festivities and walked the new bridge.

9 March 2007: Work starts on second Gateway Bridge over Brisbane River. ⁵

July 2009: Upgraded Gateway Motorway north of Gateway Bridge opened to traffic. ⁶

2010: A 7 km stretch of the Gateway Motorway that runs between Eagle Farm and Nudgee Road at Banyo, renamed Southern Cross Way after realignment of Gateway Motorway. ⁷

June 2010: Demolition of the old Gateway Motorway Overpass (now Southern Cross Way) over Airport Drive in preparation of new overpass. ⁸

This page concentrates on the former alignment between Brisbane River and Bald Hills

Brisbane River to Bald Hills

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gateway Mwy (M1) at Eagle Farm approaching Kingsford Smith Dr (SR25), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Kingsford Smith Drive:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Kingsford Smith Dr (SR25) interchange at Eagle Farm, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Eagle Farm, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Ascot, approaching East-West Arterial Rd (SR20), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Hendra, approaching East-West Arterial Rd (SR20), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Hendra, approaching East-West Arterial Rd (SR20), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

East-West Arterial Road:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) interchange at Hendra.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Hendra, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Hendra, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Hendra, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Nundah approaching Toombul Rd, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Nundah approaching Toombul Rd, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Intersection Directional Sign:

Freeway green ID sign at the Toombul Rd interchange, Nundah, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Intersection Directional Sign:

Freeway green ID sign on Toombul Rd at the Gateway Mwy (M1) interchange, Northgate, May 2005.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Nundah, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign in the Nudgee Service Centre, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign in the Nudgee Service Centre, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Intersection Directional Sign:

Freeway Green ID sign at the Nudgee Rd interchange, Nudgee Rd, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Nudgee on Nudgee Road at the Gateway Mwy (M1) interchange, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

Reassurance directional sign at Nudgee, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

National Highway Sign:

Sign from the now defunct National Highway system, next to Nundah Creek at Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign:

Freeway green AD sign approaching Bicentennial Rd interchange, Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Bicentennial Rd interchange, Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Fire Ants Sign:

Sign warning of the spread of fire ants and what items are prohibited beyond the sign. Boodall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bicentennial Road Interchange:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Bicentennial Rd interchange in Boondall, July 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign for the Deagon Deviation (SR26) interchange, Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign:

Freeway Green AD sign at Taigum, approaching Depot Rd (SR27), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Taigum, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Depot Rd (SR27) interchange, Taigum, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Depot Rd (SR27) interchange, Deagon, July 2011. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Depot Road Interchange:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Depot Rd (SR27) interchange at Deagon, July 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to Depot Rd (SR27) at Deagon July 2011. Despite what the sign says, there is no SR40 duplex. SR40 should be prefixed with 'To'.

Image © Rob Tilley

Depot Road:

Off ramp to Depot Rd (SR27) at Deagon, July 2011. Despite what the sign says, there is no SR40 duplex. SR40 should be prefixed with 'To'.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bracken Ridge approaching Deagon Deviation (SR26) interchange, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Bracken Ridge approaching Deagon Deviation (SR26), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Bracken Ridge approaching Deagon Deviation (SR26), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bracken Ridge approaching Deagon Deviation (SR26), March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Deagon Deviation:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Deagon Deviation (SR26) interchange at Bracken Ridge, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bald Hills to Brisbane River

Overdimensional Route Trailblazers:

Trailblazers for OD route 1 and 2, Bald Hills, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Bracken Ridge Rd at Bald Hills, March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Bracken Ridge Rd at Bald Hills, December 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Bracken Ridge Rd at Bracken Ridge, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bracken Ridge Road:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Bracken Ridge Rd interchange, Bracken Ridge, December 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Deagon Deviation:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Deagon Deviation (SR26) interchange at Sandgate, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Deagon, February 2015. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Bicentennial Rd interchange, Boondall, February 2015. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from August 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Bicentennial Rd interchange, Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bicentennial Road Interchange:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Bicentennial Rd interchange at Boondall. August 2009. Note the freeway green sign. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Bicentennial Road Interchange:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Bicentennial Rd interchange at Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Boondall, February 2015. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Services Sign:

AD sign at Nudgee Beach for the interchange with Nudgee Rd and access to the service centre. March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign for Nudgee Rd interchange. Boondall, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gateway Mwy (M1) at approaching the Nudgee Rd interchange at Nudgee Beach. December 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

Nudgee Road Interchange:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Nudgee Rd interchange at Nudgee Beach, February 2015. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Intersection Directional Sign:

Freeway green ID sign on the Nudgee Rd interchange at Nudgee, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the Nudgee Rd interchange at Nudgee, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Nudgee, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Southern Cross Way (former Gateway Mwy) at Banyo, November 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from December 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Distance Sign:

RD sign at Banyo, August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Old Gateway Motorway:

Ramp onto Old Gateway Mwy from Gateway Mwy (M1) at Banyo, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Advance directional sign at Banyo approaching Toombul Rd, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign:

Freeway green advance directional sign at Banyo approaching Toombul Rd, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Toombul Road:

Freeway green sign at the Toombul Rd interchange at Northgate, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Nundah, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Freeway Green Advance Directional Sign:

Freeway green AD sign approaching East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Nundah, March 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2006.

Image © Rob Tilley

East-West Arterial Road:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) interchange, Nundah, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to East-West Arterial Rd (SR20) at Nundah, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Brisbane Airport, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kingsford Smith Rd (SR25) interchange, Brisbane Airport, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kingsford Smith Rd (SR25) interchange, Brisbane Airport, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Toll Charges Sign:

Toll charges sign on Gateway Mwy (M1) at Brisbane Airport for Gateway Bridge. March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Kingsford Smith Rd (SR25) interchange at Eagle Farm, March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Kingsford Smith Road:

Gateway Mwy (M1) at the Kingsford Smith Rd (SR25) interchange, Eagle Farm, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to Kingsford Smith Rd (SR25), Eagle Farm. March 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign at Eagle Farm, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Eagle Farm for Lytton Rd (SR24) interchange. March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

Gateway Bridge:

Gateway Mwy (M1) as it crosses Brisbane River via Gateway Bridge at Eagle Farm, March 2006.

Image © Paul Rands

¹ QLD Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads, The State Road Network of Queensland, 30 June 2010.
² QLD Government, Queensland Roads Edition No 1 March 2006.
³ QLD Government, Queensland Roads, Edition No 8, March 2010.
⁴ QLD Government, Queensland Roads, Edition No 4, September 2007.
⁵ QLD Government, Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory, Media Statements, Gateway Upgrade Project well underway, 26 September 2007.
⁶ QLD Government, Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory, Media Statements, Gateway Upgrade delivers seven kilometres of new motorway, 17 July 2009.
⁷ Sydney Morning Herald, Gateway renamed the Southern Cross Way, 17 September 2010.
⁸ QLD Government, Queensland Cabinet and Ministerial Directory, Media Statements, Demolition begins on old Gateway Motorway Overpass, 2 June 2010.