CONSTRUCTION STARTS ON NEW $15.5M SPRINGFIELD INTERCHANGE

SPRINGFIELD: Work has begun on the $15.5m Springfield Interchange, the first stage of the $120m Centenary Highway to Ripley link.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Paul Lucas, Ipswich Mayor Paul Pisasale and Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller inspected early works today.

Mr Lucas said the project, which was brought forward to coincide with the construction of a new shopping centre near the Springfield Town Centre, formed the first part of the $120 million extension of the Centenary Highway from Springfield to Ripley.

"The Queensland Government is committed to providing transport infrastructure for growth areas in South East Queensland such as Springfield and Ripley," Mr Lucas said.

"The State Government's Draft South East Queensland Regional Plan identified the Springfield to Ripley area as a major growth centre and the building of the interchange is an important infrastructure milestone.

"The $13 million for the interchange and the further $107 million for the Centenary Highway extension show our commitment to the region."

The interchange should be completed by October 2005, providing access to the new shopping centre currently under construction.

Cr Pisasale said Ipswich City Council, which contributed around $2.5 million to the project, was overseeing construction of the interchange.

"Construction for the interchange will include single-lane on and off-ramps, as well as a three-span bridge over the future Springfield to Ripley road," Cr Pisasale said.

"As well as providing for immediate access to Redbank Plains and Springfield from the Centenary Highway, the interchange will also provide links for future transport infrastructure in the area."

"The contract for the major part of the interchange works has been let to Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd."

Mrs Miller said locals would be delighted to see work underway. "We are providing new roads and other transport infrastructure where they are needed by both current and future residents," Mrs Miller said.

"This interchange is important in itself but it is even more important as the first stage of the Springfield to Ripley road, which will reduce travelling time between Ripley and Brisbane via Springfield.

"When this new road is finished by 2007, Ripley residents will have a much more direct route to Brisbane, without the need to travel back to the Cunningham Highway."

In October 2004 the Queensland Government released details of the preferred route for the South West Transport Corridor, covering an area including Springfield, the Swanbank industrial area and the future township of Ripley.

The corridor will contain the Springfield to Ripley road but also will be wide enough for future public transport needs, including rail.

Mr Lucas said construction of this new link was scheduled to begin in early to mid 2006 and finish by the end of 2007.

Queensland is spending a "record of records" $8 billion over the next five years on new and upgraded roads.

This is an extraordinary $2.1 billion, or 36%, increase on the $5.85 billion provided last year.

Queensland spends 2.5 times more than Victoria, and one-third more than NSW, per capita on roads.

Media inquiries: Paul Lucas' office: Robert Hoge, 3237 1947; 0438 120 401 Ipswich City Council: Julie Brumfield-Jones, 0409 451 479 or Jo Ann Miller's office: 3288 3737.