Rochedale South residents will have access restored from Underwood Road to Priestdale Road with the construction of a new $47 million road.
Access was removed when School Road at Rochedale was closed to cars in 2022 to facilitate the new Brisbane Metro depot, forcing motorists travelling between Rochedale and Rochedale South to detour past either Rochedale State High School or Rochedale State School and Redeemer Lutheran College, where traffic often comes to a standstill at drop-off and pick-up times.
Brisbane City Council has announced it has completed the design for a four-lane, 700m extension to Gardener Road between Priestdale and Underwood roads. Construction is scheduled to start later this year, with completion due mid-2028.
The State Government’s Residential Activation Fund will contribute $47 million to the project, with further funding coming from the council.
The project will include two sets of traffic lights with pedestrian crossings – one at the turn off Gardener Rd to the bus station and the other just east of Rochedale State High School.
The project will also include a new bridge over the Bulimba Creek East Tributary, 2.5km of bike lanes, 1.1km of shared paths and 700m of new footpaths.
The project is aimed to support Rochedale’s growing population, which more than doubled between the 2016 and 2021 census, from 3175 residents to 7633 in just five years.
It should also provide easier access to Rochedale State High School and the Rochedale Bus Station and Park ‘n’ Ride.
School access will be maintained throughout construction and new signals and crossings built around School Road and Priestdale Road.
An extra left-turn exit will be added onto Gardner Road, while a dedicated wildlife crossing beneath the new bridge will support native animals living along the Bulimba Creek East Tributary.
Councillor representing Rochedale Steven Huang said the new road would provide better local connections for Rochedale and neighbouring suburbs.
“This new connection will help take the pressure off surrounding roads and make it easier to get to school, work, local shops and public transport,” Cr Huang said.
Brisbane City Council Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the new road was meant to support the rapidly growing Rochedale suburb.
“This new road will help unlock hundreds of new homes while helping to keep Brisbane moving.
“Gardner Road shows what’s possible when all levels of government work together and we want to see more partnerships like this to deliver the infrastructure our growing city needs,” he said.
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