Length:

38 km (Brisbane to Aspley: 14 km)

Termini:

Northern: Bruce Highway (M1) and Gateway Motorway (M1), Bald Hills

Southern: Pacific Motorway (M1) and Gateway Motorway (M2), Eight Mile Plains

Miscellaneous:

Former names include Riverside Expressway, Southeast Arterial Road and Southeast Freeway

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Milton, Paddington, Bowen Hills, Windsor, Lutwyche, Wooloowin, Kedron, Wavell Heights, Chermside and Aspley

Current: M3 A3

Former: 1 1 3

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

U14 (Gympie Arterial Road)

General Information:

The route takes in the Brisbane's inner south and also skirts the CBD via what was once called the Riverside Expressway, then continues into the northern suburbs via Coronation Drive, Hale Street and the Inner City Bypass before connecting with Bowen Bridge Road, Lutwyche Road, Gympie Road and finally the Gympie Arterial Road for the connection to the Bruce Highway at the Gateway Motorway (M1) junction.

The route includes the Captain Cook Bridge. It is the third crossing of the Brisbane River. It crosses at the South Brisbane Reach of the river, and links Gardens Point to Woolloongabba. It carries four lanes of traffic in either direction.

The Pacific Motorway section of the route had 2 names, the bridges and interchanges in the Brisbane CBD was called the Riverside Expressway and the freeway south of the CBD was known as the South East Freeway. The South East Freeway and Riverside Expressway were two of the early projects to be completed from the Wilbur Smith "Brisbane Transportation Study", which was published in 1965 and made recommendations covering sixteen years to 1981. ³

18 November 2001: Stage 1 of Inner City Bypass (Hale Street to Campbell Street) opened by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley. ²

13 February 2002: Stage 2 of Inner City Bypass (Campbell Street to Abbotsford Road) opened by Brisbane City Council Chairperson of Transport and Traffic Projects, Maureen Hayes. ²

22 July 2002: Stage 3 of Inner City Bypass (Abbotsford Road to Kingsford Smith Drive) opened by Lord Mayor Jim Soorley. ² This section is not part of the M3 / A3 corridor.

June 2004: Installation of noise barriers along Gympie Road between Webster Road and Kildonan Street, Chermside. ⁴

September 2005: Addition of traffic signals to the Intersection of Gympie Road and Sadlier Street, Kedron, also the removal of right-turn access from Webster Road North into Gympie Road and diverted right-turning traffic to the Gympie Road and Darwin Street intersection. ⁴

November 2005: At the intersection of Gympie Road and Webster Road, Chermside, Main Roads removed right-turn access from Webster Road North into Gympie Road, diverted right-turning traffic to the Gympie Road and Darwin Street intersection and modified the traffic signals. ⁴

May 2006: Along Gympie Road between Kedron Park Road and Leckie Road, Kedron, upgrades were made to the intersections to improve safety and traffic operation. ⁴

2009: Metroad 3 decommissioned, route renumbered M3 for motorway standard / limited access sections and A3 for suburban arterial road sections. ⁵

Brisbane to Aspley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Milton Rd at Milton, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Milton Road Interchange:

Hale St (M3) as it passes through the interchange with Milton Rd (SR32) at Milton, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Intersection Directional Signs:

ID signs over the lanes at the interchange with Musgrave Rd (SR31) and Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) in Paddington, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the off-ramp to Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) in Paddington, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Intersection directional Sign:

ID sign at the interchange with Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) in Paddington, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Victoria Park Rd Exit:

Inner City Bypass (M3) at the off-ramp to Victoria Park Rd in Kelvin Grove, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Herston Rd in Herston, January 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Herston Road Interchange:

Inner City Bypass (M3) at the Herston Rd interchange in Herston, January 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Justin Cozart from June 2012.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Herston for the Lutwyche Rd (M3) & Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) interchange, January 2016. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Justin Cozart from June 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Entering Tunnel:

Inner City Bypass as it tunnels under Bowen Bridge Road and RNA Showgrounds at Herston, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Tunnel:

Inner City Bypass at Bowen Hills as it tunnels under Bowen Bridge Road and RNA Showgrounds at Herston, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bowen Hills on the Inner City Bypass (M3) approaching the interchange with Bowen Bridge Road (SR15) and Lutwyche Road (A3), October 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Justin Cozart from June 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from February 2009.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Bowen Hills on the Inner City Bypass (M3) approaching the interchange with Lutwyche Road (A3), January 2016.

Image © Rob Tilley

Lutwyche Road:

The Inner City Bypass (M3) at Bowen Hills at the interchange with Lutwyche Road (A3), October 2012.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Clem Jones Tunnel & Lutwyche Road Interchange:

Inner City Bypass (M3) at the interchange with Lutwyche Rd (A3) and Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) at Bowen Hills, March 2010. Click or tap here for a photo by Justin Cozart of the same sign in its alternate display position from June 2012.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly at the junction of Lutwyche Rd (SR15) and Lutwyche Rd (A3) at Windsor, March 2010. Note the old sign in the background and the missing SR15 and A3 shields on the newer signs.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Lutwyche Rd in Windsor near the Bowen Street intersection, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Norman Street Intersection:

Intersection directional sign on Lutwyche Rd at the Norman St intersection at Wooloowin, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental AD Sign:

Supplemental advance directional sign as Gympie Rd approaches Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) in Woolowin, February 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd approaching Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) at Gordon Park, February 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Stafford Road Intersection:

Gympie Road at the Stafford Road (Metroad 5) intersection at Gordon Park, February 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Lutwyche approaching Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) and Swan St, August 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Stafford Road:

Corner of Gympie Rd (A3) and Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) at Lutwyche, August 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Strathmore & Castle Streets:

Advance directional signs on Gympie Rd, approaching Strathmore St and Castle St in Kedron, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Edinburgh Castle Road:

Gympie Rd approaching the intersection with Edinburgh Castle Road in Kedron, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

AD Sign:

Advance directional sign on Gympie Rd at Kedron, approaching Rode Rd, February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Entering Chermside:

Gympie Rd (A3) as it enters the suburb of Chermside, April 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching the intersection with Murphy Rd & The Boulevarde in Chermside, April 2013. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from February 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching the intersection with Murphy Rd in Chermside, April 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd (A3) at Chermside, approaching Webster Rd (SR27), April 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Webster Road:

Gympie Rd (A3) at the intersection with Webster Rd (SR27) at Chermside, April 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd (M3) in Aspley approaching Ellison Rd (SR27) and Webster Rd (SR27), February 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Aspley to Brisbane

Murphy Road Intersection:

Intersection directional sign at the intersection with Murphy Rd in Chermside, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Banfield St Chermside, with remnant ALT-NR1 shield, approaching Gympie Rd (A3), June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Hamilton Road:

Advance directional sign on Gympie Rd approaching Hamilton Rd in Chermside, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Kuran Street & Wallace Street:

Gympie Road approaching the junction with Wallace and Kuran Streets in Chermside, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

AD Sign:

Advance directional sign on Gympie Rd at Chermside, approaching Rode Rd, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Entering Kedron:

Gympie Rd (A3) as it enters the suburb of Kedron, March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Approaching Sport Street & Kitchener Road:

Gympie Rd (A3) at Kedron approaching the intersection with Sport St and Kitchener Rd, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Strathmore & Castle Streets:

Advance directional signs on Gympie Rd, approaching Strathmore St and Castle St in Kedron, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Travel Time Sign:

LED travel time sign at Kedron approaching Airport Link Tunnel (M7), March 2013.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Kedron approaching Airport Link Tunnel (M7), October 2012.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Airport Link Tunnel:

Gympie Rd (A3) at the Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange at Kedron, October 2012.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd approaching Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) at Kedron, June 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental AD Sign:

Supplemental advance directional sign as Gympie Rd approaches Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) in Kedron, June 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd approaching Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) at Kedron, June 2009. This sign has since been removed due to widening and the construction of Airport Link Tunnel (M7) interchange.

Image © Rob Tilley

Stafford Road Intersection:

Gympie Road at the Stafford Road (Metroad 5) intersection at Kedron, March 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from June 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Gympie Rd in Kedron, approaching Kedron Park Rd (SR20), June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Kedron Park Road Intersection:

Gympie Road as it changes to Lutwyche Road at the junction with Kedron Park Road (SR20) in Wooloowin, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Kedron Park Road Intersection:

Gympie Road as it changes to Lutwyche Road at the junction with Kedron Park Road (SR20) in Wooloowin, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Lutwyche Rd & Truro Rd Split:

AD sign as you approach the first split for southbound traffic along A3. Both Lutwyche Rd and and Truro St are A3 in Lutwyche, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Albion Road Intersection:

Corner of Lutwyche Rd (A3) and Albion Rd in Windsor, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the second split for southbound traffic along A3. Both Lutwyche Rd and and Roblane St are A3 in Windsor, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Approaching Newmarket Road:

AD sign as you approaching Newmarket Rd in Windsor, southbound on Lutwyche Rd, June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Overheight Sign:

Overheight warning sign for Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) on Lutwyche Rd (A3) at Windsor, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching the junction with Inner City Bypass (M3) and Bowen Bridge Road (SR15) at Windsor, March 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from June 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Changeable AD sign on Lutwyche Rd (A3) approaching Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), Inner City Bypass (M3) and Lutwyche Rd (SR15) at Windsor, March 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Prohibition & Reassurance Sign:

Motorway prohibition sign and reassurance sign on Lutwyche Rd (A3) approaching Inner City Bypass (M3), Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) and Lutwyche Rd (SR15 section), March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Lutwyche Rd (A3) approaching Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), Inner City Bypass (M3) and Lutwyche Rd (SR15) at Windsor, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

Changeable AD sign on Lutwyche Rd (A3) approaching Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), Inner City Bypass (M3) and Lutwyche Rd (SR15) at Windsor, March 2010. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Michael Greenslade from March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Inner City Bypass (M3) approaching Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) and Legacy Way (M5) at Kelvin Grove, May 2019.

Image © Dean Sherry

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Inner City Bypass (M3) approaching Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) and Legacy Way (M5) at Kelvin Grove, May 2019.

Image © Dean Sherry

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Inner City Bypass (M3) approaching Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77) and Legacy Way (M5) at Kelvin Grove, May 2019.

Image © Dean Sherry

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Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on inner City Bypass (M3) at Kelvin Grove approaching Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77), May 2019. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Justin Cozart from June 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from March 2010.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on inner City Bypass (M3) at Kelvin Grove at the interchange with Kelvin Grove Rd (SR77), March 2010. Note the missing SR77 shield.

Image © Paul Rands