Fairfield/Annerley Road Hit Hard by Slower Speeds

A number of major Brisbane roads, including Fairfield/Annerley Road are experiencing slower travel speeds compared to pre-pandemic levels according to the city’s latest key corridor performance reports.

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In the PM peak for Fairfield/Annerley Road, the average speed has dropped from 31.52 kph in 2019 to 25.01 kph in the first six months of 2023. The AM peak has seen an even larger decline, with average speed falling from 26.4 kph in 2019 to 21.98 kph this year.

Moggill Road has been highlighted as one of the slowest in the city. The Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) notes that the slowing conditions are due to the ongoing Indooroopilly roundabout upgrade project, although significant improvements are expected once construction is completed.

Part of the Indooroopilly roundabout upgrade is building an overpass, which would help traffic move better, be safer, and have more options for walking and biking. It will also handle current and future traffic levels.

On a more positive note, average speeds have increased significantly on the Inner-City Bypass since the Kingsford Smith Drive upgrade was completed in 2020.

The project added seven kilometres of new and improved walking and bike paths. The Brisbane City Council said it saved up to 30 percent of travel time for all vehicles, including cars, buses, and trucks.

In the eastbound AM peak, average speed has jumped from 40.91 kph in 2019 to 57.81 kph in early 2023. The westbound AM peak has seen an increase from 43.33 kph to 61.11 kph over the same period.

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According to the RACQ, slowing speeds can be attributed to population growth and lower public transport usage since the pandemic. The transport body believes major infrastructure upgrades are crucial to improving travel times on Brisbane’s busiest corridors.

Published 1-August-2023