Water sensitive highway design Port of Brisbane Motorway

Abstract

The Port of Brisbane Motorway (PBM) has significantly raised the benchmark for water quality treatment on major road infrastructure projects in Queensland. The integration of the design and construction teams and the inclusion of stakeholders throughout the design process produced innovative solutions to overcome challenging site conditions and reduce costs. Recognised best management practices for stormwater treatment were used on this project in new and creative ways. Some treatments, such as linear wetlands, have been used for the first time on a major Queensland road project. A key environmental feature of the project has been the recycling of road pavement runoff to help preserve and enhance valuable freshwater habitat on the Bulimba Creek floodplain next to the motorway. Detailed two-dimensional flood modelling has been undertaken to ensure that the motorway has a positive impact on these wetlands during floods. The stormwater management strategy has been recognised as ‘best practice’ by Brisbane City Council, and the project won the Stormwater Industry Association (Qld) Excellence Award for 2002 in the Design and Planning Category.