Clem7 tunnel set to open in Brisbane

15/03/2010 | 05:52 AM

Australia's longest road tunnel, which runs under Brisbane, will open to vehicles on Monday night.

The just completed Clem7 tunnel, which is 4.8km long and passes 60 metres under the Brisbane River and the CBD, will speed traffic from Woolloongabba to Bowen Hills by allowing motorists to bypass 24 sets of traffic lights.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Campbell Newman says the tunnel will begin opening in sections late Monday night and is expected to be in full operation early Tuesday, well before the start of the morning peak hour.

Motorists will have 18 days of free travel through the tunnel before the $4.28 toll for cars came into effect.

"If you're planning on using the tunnel in the next few days just remember this may also be the first time for other motorists so keep your eyes on the road, keep to the speed limit and try to stay in your lane at all times," Mr Newman said in a statement.

The lord mayor recommends motorists turn on their lights, stay in their lane and listen to the radio for a safe trip in the tunnel. The speed limit will be 80km/h unless signed otherwise.

The tunnel has four entrances, one northern on Lutwyche Road near the Royal Brisbane Hospital and three southern on Ipswich Road, the Pacific Motorway and Shafston Avenue.

It is named the Clem7 after Brisbane's longest-serving lord mayor, Clem Jones.