Length:

31 km

Termini:

Northern: Southern Cross Way (former Gateway Mwy) (unnumbered) and Airport Dr (unnumbered), Hendra

Southern: Ipswich Mwy (M2) and Logan Mwy (M2), Gailes

Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:

Gailes, Wacol, Darra, Oxley, Rocklea, Moorooka, Yeronga, Annerley, Woolloongabba, Kangaroo Point, Fortitude Valley, Windsor, Lutwyche, Wooloowin, Clayfield and Hendra

Current: M7 A7

Multiplexed with: 10

Former: 15 2 15 20

Road Authority Internal Classification: ¹

U16 (Ipswich Mwy (Cunningham Arterial Road))

U19 (East-West Arterial Rd)

U32 (Airport Link Tunnel)

General Information:

M7 / A7 is a significant route connecting the western and inner suburbs of Brisbane with Brisbane Airport. Between Gailes and Rocklea, the route is freeway standard, with the rest of the route being suburban arterial road quality. The route also features 2 freeway standard tunnels: Clem Jones Tunnel and Airport Link Tunnel.

Originally called the North-South Bypass Tunnel ², the Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) links five existing major motorways and arterial roads on the north and south sides of the Brisbane River. The 6.8 kilometre tollway includes twin, 2-lane 4.8 kilometre tunnels. ³

Tolls are collected through a fully electronic tolling system that identifies motorists using the tunnel via an electronic tag fitted inside their vehicle or by taking a photograph of their number plate. ³

The route is named after Brisbane's longest serving Lord Mayor, Clem Jones. He was responsible for Brisbane's first town plan and established infrastructure such as sewerage, water and sealed road networks. He built new roads and developed city gardens, sporting fields and swimming pools. Clem Jones passed away in 2007, aged 89. ³

State Route 10, for 400 m, Annerley.

22 September 1971: Rocklea Overpass opened by then Premier Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen. ⁴

18 September 1988: Oxley Road Interchange opened by then Minister for Main Roads Bill Gunn. ⁴

1993: Ipswich Motorway Donaldson Road overpass construction. ⁴ State Route 20 discontinued on Ipswich Road, south of Sherwood Road. ⁵

12 February 1993: Oxley Flats duplication opened by then Minister for Transport David Hamill. ⁴

1994: Ipswich Motorway Dinmore to Archerfield grade-separation. ⁶

23 December 1997: Ipswich Motorway safety works at Dinmore including a barrier between the north and and southbound traffic lanes. ⁴

31 August 2006: Granard Road northbound overpass opened by then Federal Minister for Transport Jim Lloyd. ⁴

27 August 2007: Southern Cross Way (former Gateway Motorway), East-West Arterial Road & Airport Drive roundabout signalisation. ⁴

2009: Excavations began for Airport Link Tunnel.

April 2009: Work began on Airport Roundabout Upgrade project to replace the East-West Arterial Road roundabout with a proper interchange with Southern Cross Way. ⁷

June 2010: Demolition of Southern Cross Way bridge over East-West Arterial Road began. ⁸

7 November 2010: Airport Flyover, over Southern Cross Way opens to traffic. ⁹

30 May 2011: Final interchange configuration with Airport Link Tunnel, East-West Arterial Road and Sandgate Road opened to traffic. ¹⁰

Click or tap here for construction photos between Gailes and Hendra

Gailes to Hendra

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7), approaching Progress Rd (SR30) at Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7), approaching Progress Rd (SR30) at Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Progress Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the Progress Rd (SR30) interchange, Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Wacol approaching Centenary Hwy (M5), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Wacol approaching Centenary Hwy (M5), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Centenary Highway:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange, Darra, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Darra, approaching Harcourt Rd, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Lane Control Ends:

Signs indicating automated lane control ends, Darra, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Darra, approaching Harcourt Rd, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Harcourt Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at Harcourt Rd interchange, Darra, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Oxley, approaching Oxley Rd & Blunder Rd (SR35), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Oxley, approaching Oxley Rd & Blunder Rd (SR35), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Oxley Road & Blunder Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at Oxley at the interchange with Oxley Rd & Blunder Rd (SR35), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Freeway Green Sign:

Older freeway green End Of Motorway sign, on the off ramp to Oxley Rd & Blunder Rd (SR35) at Oxley, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Black Advance Directional Sign:

Black AD in the off ramp to Oxley Rd & Blunder Rd (SR35) at Oxley, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Oxley, approaching Donaldsons Rd, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Rocklea, approaching Donaldsons Rd, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Donaldson Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the Donaldson Rd interchange, Rocklea, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Rocklea approaching Suscatand St interchange, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Rocklea approaching Suscatand St interchange, Grandard Rd (Metroad 2) interchange and Ipswich Rd (A7), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Suscantand Street:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the Suscatand St interchange in Rocklea, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign at Rocklea approaching Grandard Rd (Metroad 2) interchange and Ipswich Rd (A7), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Rocklea approaching Grandard Rd (Metroad 2) interchange and Ipswich Rd (A7), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Rocklea approaching Grandard Rd (Metroad 2) interchange and Ipswich Rd (A7), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Ipswich Road Exit:

ID sign at the local traffic exit to an unnumbered service road section of Ipswich Rd through Rocklea, March 2012. The A7 route number is shown in error.

Image © Paul Rands

Granard Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the Granard (Metroad 2) interchange at Rocklea, March 2012. Ipswich Mwy becomes Ipswich Rd (A7) at this location.

Image © Paul Rands

Reassurance Directional Sign:

Distance sign on Ipswich Rd (A7) at Rocklea, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Rd (A7) approaching the interchange with Sherwood Rd (SR20) and Muriel Av (SR20), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Sherwood Road & Muriel Avenue:

Ipswich Rd (A7) at the interchange with Sherwood Rd (SR20) & Muriel Av (SR20) at Rocklea, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to Sherwood Rd (SR20) and Muriel Av (SR20) at Rocklea, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Toll Evasion Sign:

Toll evasion sign for Clem Jones Tunnel at Woolloongabba near Pacific Mwy (M3) interchange, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Variable Speed Sign:

Variable speed sign for Clem Jones Tunnel at Woolloongabba near Pacific Mwy (M3) interchange, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Signs:

AD signs at the interchange of Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), Airport Link Tunnel (M7), Inner City Bypass (M3) and Kingsford Smith Dr (SR25) at Bowen Hills, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Signs:

ID signs at the interchange with Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), Bowen Bridge Rd (SR15), Inner CIty Bypass (M3) and Lutwyche Rd (A3) at Windsor, March 2010.

Image © Rob Tilley

Lutwyche Road:

Airport Link (M7) at the Lutwyche Rd (A3) interchange at Bowen Hills, October 2012.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Stafford Road & Gympie Road:

Off ramp from Airport Link (M7) onto Stafford Rd (Metroad 5) and Gympie Rd (A3) at Lutwyche, October 2012.

Image © Michael Greenslade

Advance Directional Sign:

AD signs inside Airport Link Tunnel (M7) approaching Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) at Clayfield, January 2016.

Image © Rob Tilley

Sandgate Road:

ID sign assembly facing the exit from Airport Link Tunnel (M7) to Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) at Clayfield, January 2016.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) approaching temporary roundabout with access to East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at Clayfield, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign approaching Nudgee Rd interchange at Clayfield, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on East-West Arterial Rd (M7) approaching the interchange with Nudgee Rd in Clayfield, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on East-West Arterial Rd (M7) approaching the interchange with Nudgee Rd in Clayfield, June 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Nudgee Road Interchange:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at the interchange with Nudgee Rd in Hendra, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Nudgee Road:

Nudgee Rd overpass at Hendra, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign west of Gateway Mwy (M1) at Brisbane Airport near Southern Cross Way, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Hendra to Gailes

Advance Directional Sign:

M7 AD sign on Airport Dr at Brisbane Airport approaching Gateway Mwy (M1), May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Gateway Motorway:

Airport Dr at the Gateway Mwy (M1) interchange, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

M7 AD sign on Airport Dr at Brisbane Airport approaching Lomandra Dr, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Airport Drive at Brisbane Airport, approaching The Circuit, Southern Cross Way (former M1) and East-West Arterial Rd (M7), May 2018. The Gateway Mwy sign is a remnant as it was re-routed and the old road renamed Southern Cross Way. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Paul Rands from March 2012.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign beside The Circuit overpass on Airport Drive at Brisbane Airport, approaching the Southern Cross Way and East-West Arterial Rd (M7) interchange, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Southern Cross Way:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at the Southern Cross Way interchange at Brisbane Airport, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Southern Cross Way:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) showing the AD sign on the Southern Cross Way off-ramp at Brisbane Airport, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Brisbane Airport on service road south of East-West Arterial Rd (M7) approaching Nudgee Rd, January 2011.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Widdop St at Hendra, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Widdop St at Hendra, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Widdop Street:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at the Widdop St interchange, Hendra, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Widdop Street:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at the Widdop St interchange, Hendra, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign at Hendra, approaching Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) and the then unopened Airport Link tunnel (M7), May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Sandgate Road:

East-West Arterial Rd (M7) at the Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) interchange at Clayfield, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on the off ramp to Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) at Clayfield, May 2018.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign assembly facing the off ramp to Sandgate Rd (SR20 / SR26) at Clayfield, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Overheight Warning Sign:

Overheight warning sign on the unnumbered section of the Inner City Bypass at Bowen Hills, approaching Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Prohibition Sign & Trailblazer:

Motorway prohibition sign and trailblazer on the unnumbered section of the Inner City Bypass, approaching the exit to Clem Jones Tunnel (M7), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

Changeable ID sign on the Inner City Bypass interchange with Clem Jones Tunnel (M7) at Bowen Hills, June 2012.

Image © Justin Cozart

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on O'Keefe St in Woolloongabba approaching Ipswich Rd (A7), September 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the O'Keefe St junction in Woolloongabba, September 2009. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from August 2009.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Rd (A7) approaching Cornwall St in Woolloongabba, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7) approaching Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, August 2009. This sign has since been upgraded.

Image © Rob Tilley

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7) approaching Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, March 2012. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from August 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Supplemental Advance Directional Sign:

Supplemental AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7) approaching the Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, April 2014. Click or tap here for a photo of this location by Rob Tilley from August 2009.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, April 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign on the interchange of Ipswich Mwy (M7) and Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, August 2009. This sign has since been removed.

Image © Rob Tilley

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, April 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Intersection Directional Sign:

ID sign at the Centenary Hwy (M5) interchange at Darra, April 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Progress Rd (SR30) at Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign approaching Progress Rd (SR30) at Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Progress Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at Progress Rd (SR30) at Wacol, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7) at Gailes, approaching Ipswich Mwy (M2) and Brisbane Rd (Viking Dr), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Advance Directional Sign:

AD sign on Ipswich Mwy (M7) at Gailes, approaching Ipswich Mwy (M2) and Brisbane Rd (Viking Dr), March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Brisbane Road:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the interchange with Brisbane Rd (Viking Dr) at Gailes, March 2012.

Image © Paul Rands

Brisbane Road & End M7:

Ipswich Mwy (M7) at the exit to Brisbane Rd (Viking Dr) at Gailes, March 2012. Ipswich Mwy becomes M2 from this point, which is also part the interchange with Logan Mwy (M2)

Image © Paul Rands