$339 million windfall for Ipswich roads

Ipswich and surrounding areas will receive $339 million for roads over the next two years as part of a record $11.55 billion roads program for Queensland.

The latest Roads Implementation Program, launched by Premier Peter Beattie and Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas, boosts roads spending in Queensland by more than $1 billion over the next five years.

Mr Lucas said a record $11.55 billion would be spent on the state’s roads from 2006-07 to 2010-11 – a $1.05 billion or 10% increase on the previous five-year program.

The program details almost 2500 road projects that will be constructed around the state over the next five years.

“We are committed to delivering the projects that make our roads safer and help meet the needs of a growing state,” Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said the Beattie Government's program continued a record funding boost for Ipswich city.

“All up, the state and federal governments would provide a total of more than $339 million for Ipswich roads over the next two years,” he said.

“This compares with $31 million in the two-year plan that was in place when the Beattie Government came to power in 1998,” Mr Beattie said.

Mr Lucas said the work included major transport links and several specifically targeted safety works under the Safer Roads Sooner program.

Key projects funded this financial year and 2007-08 financial years include:

• $106 million towards a new two-lane highway from Springfield to Yamanto to service new growth areas in IpswichCity. Construction will start soon and work will be finished by mid-2009
• $11 million for initial work on an $86 million project to develop a new connection between the Cunningham and Warrego Highways, to replace the existing heavily trafficked River Road link. Construction is expected to start in 2007-08, subject to federal funding of the AusLink component
• $395,000 for new traffic management devices, including sign improvements and improved overhead lighting on the Ipswich-Warrego Highway connection from the Ipswich CBD to Warrego Highway at Brassall
• $546,000 to repair and widen a section of Karrabin-Rosewood Road between Karrabin and Haigslea-Amberley Road, delivering on a 2004 election promise
• $1.5 million to repair a section of Karrabin-Rosewood Road between Karrabin and Rosewood-Warrill View Road
• $1.24 million to repair and strengthen a stretch of Rosewood-Laidley Road west from Stevens Road, delivering on a 2004 election promise and $1.5 million to repair and widen two further sections of the road
• $1.26 million to complete drainage works at Harrisville Creek on Warrill View-Peak Crossing Road
• $500,000 to repair and widen Rosewood-Marburg Road between Tallegalla and Berlins Roads
• $1.5 million to repair rough sections of Ipswich-Rosewood Road extending for 5.3km west of Ipswich.

Federally funded projects in the Ipswich area include:

• $217 million in federal AusLink funding over the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years towards a $320 million project to widen the Ipswich Motorway to six lanes from Wacol to Darra (in Brisbane City)
• $185 million in federal AusLink funding over the 2006-07 and 2007-08 financial years towards the $255 million Logan Motorway interchange project on the Ipswich Motorway at Gailes. Major construction is expected to start soon, for completion in 2009-10
• $2.1 million to complete priority safety upgrading projects on the Ipswich Motorway between Dinmore and Rocklea. The work includes reconstruction of the Ipswich Motorway-Granard Road interchange at Rocklea and safety and traffic modifications to the Progress Road interchange and other works.

Safer Roads Sooner initiatives in the Ipswich region in 2006-07 include:

• $435,000 for intersection improvements at Brisbane Road/Stafford Street on Ipswich-Cunningham Highway connection, at a total cost of $456,000
• $41,000 to complete intersection improvements at Pine Mountain Road/Waterworks Road on the Ipswich-Warrego Highway connection at a total cost of $300,000.