road infrastructure Archives - North Lakes Today

The Youngs Crossing upgrade in Joyner has reached a new construction milestone, with the first of 83 precast concrete girders installed for the flood-resilient bridge as the project approaches its halfway point.

More than 20,000 vehicles use Youngs Crossing each day, making the corridor an important part of the South East Queensland road network. The existing crossing has also been affected by flooding, with closures contributing to delays, diversions and congestion on surrounding roads.

The wider upgrade extends for more than one kilometre from Protheroe Road to Dayboro Road. It includes an approximately 200-metre, four-lane bridge west of the existing road crossing, three signalised intersections and improved pedestrian and active transport connections.

Youngs Crossing Upgrade Enters Girder Installation Stage

The precast girders will form the foundation of the new bridge deck, with deliveries continuing over the coming weeks.

Some measure up to 27 metres long and are expected to arrive intermittently over about five weeks. Each will be transported under escort at night via Dayboro Road through Old Petrie Town before being lifted into position by crane during daylight hours.

During August, crews will begin low-impact site set-up and preparation activities from 5:30 am. Once the girders arrive, crane installation is scheduled to begin from 6:30 am.

The size of the loads will create some traffic impacts during transportation. Oversize and over-mass vehicle movements will therefore be scheduled during off-peak traffic periods where possible.

Youngs Crossing upgrade — Photo Credit: Supplied

August Works Continue Around Joyner

Girder installation forms part of a wider program of construction activity continuing through August.

Saturday and early morning concrete works are scheduled on the western side of Youngs Crossing Road. Saturday activities are expected between 7 am and 3 pm and include steel fixing, formwork and concrete surface cutting.

Other scheduled work includes retaining wall formwork and reinforcement, underground service and pit installation on Protheroe Road and Dayboro Road, intersection and traffic signal works, earthworks around the bridge, telecommunications commissioning and vegetation management.

Some work will also take place at night where required for safety and to maintain traffic flow. Nearby residents and businesses will be notified when out-of-hours installation activities may affect them.

Traffic Controls Remain Along Youngs Crossing Road

A temporary 40 km/h speed limit remains in place along Youngs Crossing Road while construction continues. Electronic message signs are positioned at locations along the project corridor and will be updated as works progress.

Motorists may experience delays and are required to follow traffic signage and instructions around the work zone.

Public access to Youngs Crossing Park and the waterhole remains unavailable during construction of the new bridge and road for safety reasons.

Seymour Whyte is the principal contractor for the project. Construction activities remain subject to weather and construction conditions, with completion expected in late 2027.

Published 5-August-2026

North Lakes is in line for significant traffic relief as part of a major upgrade to the Bruce Highway, with new plans confirming additional lanes and major redesigns across one of Queensland’s busiest road corridors. The project spans 18.8 kilometres between Anzac Avenue and Caboolture–Bribie Island Road and is set to change how residents and local traffic move in and out of Brisbane’s north.

This stretch of the Bruce Highway forms a crucial link between North Lakes and regional centres to the north, but it’s become increasingly congested during peak travel times. With the area’s population continuing to grow, especially around Moreton Bay, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has outlined a plan to not only increase lane capacity but also build new road features that support safer and more efficient travel for both locals and long-distance drivers.

Plans to Widen the Highway and Separate Local Traffic

The most immediate changes will take place between Anzac Avenue and Uhlmann Road, where the highway will be expanded from three to four lanes in each direction. This section will see new lanes added in the central median, along with the upgrade or replacement of nearby overpasses to accommodate the wider footprint.

North of Uhlmann Road, rather than continuing to add lanes to the main highway, the project will introduce new one-way collector-distributor roads along both sides. These roads are designed to handle local traffic movements — such as trips to interchanges or nearby service centres — while allowing highway traffic to keep moving without interference.

This approach was chosen after studies found that simply widening the highway near North Lakes would not solve the problem due to the number of existing interchanges in close range. The new parallel roads will help reduce congestion, particularly in areas where traffic frequently merges or exits, such as around Buchanan Road and Caboolture–Bribie Island Road.

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Feedback from the North Lakes Community

When TMR called for feedback between October and November 2023, residents from North Lakes and surrounding suburbs voiced both support and concerns. Many welcomed the plan to expand the highway and appreciated the attempt to separate local trips from long-distance ones. At the same time, some questioned whether the shift back to three lanes near Uhlmann Road might cause new delays.

People also raised concerns about the impact of construction, including how long the work would take, whether it would overlap with other roadworks in the area, and how detours might affect their day-to-day travel. A key issue raised was the potential need for property resumptions in some neighbourhoods, particularly if collector-distributor roads were to run close to homes or businesses.

Other feedback focused on improving the experience of pedestrians and cyclists. Residents asked for better lighting, wider paths, and separate lanes for bikes and walkers, especially near overpasses and crossings. Environmental concerns were also flagged, with requests for TMR to minimise the loss of vegetation and ensure wildlife corridors are considered in the design.

Government Investment and Timeline

The project is being backed by a combined $34 million in planning funds from the Australian and Queensland governments. Of this, $12 million has been committed specifically to the Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road section, with another $733 million allocated for the delivery of major works along this same segment.

According to TMR, business case development is currently underway, with more detailed designs expected by 2026. Early works, including geotechnical investigations and property assessments, are already in progress. Construction is not yet scheduled, but it will begin after the design phase and following further consultation with landowners and local councils.

Feedback on the preferred solution remains open until 14 September 2025. TMR has urged anyone who lives, works or travels through the corridor — including those from North Lakes — to get involved by sharing their thoughts via the project’s online feedback portal or by contacting the project team directly.

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A Road Plan That Aims to Keep Pace with Growth

With suburbs like North Lakes continuing to grow, the pressure on the Bruce Highway is expected to intensify in the years ahead. The current upgrade is part of a broader strategy to prepare for that growth while addressing the traffic frustrations many residents already face.

Published 17-July-2025

Tag: road infrastructure

Youngs Crossing Upgrade Reaches Bridge Milestone in Joyner