The company began operating in 1980 as the Gateway Bridge Company. On 2 June 2009, the
Queensland Government announced the 'Renewing Queensland Plan' that would sell
assets to raise $15 billion, and avoid a further $12 billion required in future
capital investment. Queensland Motorways was included in this process. In 2011, the Queensland Government transferred ownership of Queensland Motorways to the Queensland Government’s Defined Benefit Fund (a
superannuation scheme for Queensland public servants) managed by the
Queensland Investment Corporation (QIC). Queensland Motorways now operates under a 40–year Road Franchise Agreement with the state. This meant that tolls on the Logan and Gateway Motorways were extended to 2051. This transfer set out that the Queensland Government would continue to own the road and bridge infrastructure on the
Gateway and
Logan Motorways, while QIC would own the QML business and the right to toll the motorways. It also limited toll increases to not exceed
CPI increases. In December 2013, Queensland Motorways acquired the rights to manage and toll the
CLEM7 tunnel in a $618 million deal with
RiverCity Motorway's receivers. On 12 December 2013, QIC announced that Queensland Motorways, with an estimated value of more than $5 billion, would be
auctioned off. It was claimed that a change of ownership would not have any impact on existing tolls. Indicative bids would be made by the end of January, and then shortlisted bidders would then be requested to submit binding bids, with the process scheduled for completion in April 2014. On 2 July 2014, a consortium comprising
Transurban,
AustralianSuper and
Tawreed Investments completed financial close on the acquisition of Queensland Motorways for $7 billion. The consortium was later known as Transurban Queensland. The consortium was later known as Transurban Queensland. In late January 2015, the Queensland Motorways corporate brand was replaced by the Transurban brand and logo. ==Tolling system==