Ipswich wins on roads, trains and buses

Major improvements to roads and public transport will be delivered to the Ipswich region in the 2007-08 State Budget.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said $134.4 million had been allocated to continue work on extending the Centenary Highway from Springfield to Yamanto.

"The 18 kilometre, $366 million project is being built in three stages and remains on track to open to traffic by mid 2009.

“In addition, the budget provides $134.2 million for the four-laning of the Centenary Highway.

"This money allows us to put in place the planning and initial works to duplicate the highway between Springfield and the Ipswich Motorway, as well as the rail link to Springfield," Mr Lucas said.

"It’s a vital project for future growth in the Springfield area of Ipswich City.

“$384.5 million is included in the State Budget to alleviate pressure on the Ipswich motorway.

“Included is $163.5 million in AusLink funding from the Federal Government to start a six lane upgrade of the motorway between Wacol and Darra.

“Motorists can be assured an overhaul of the congested Centenary Highway interchange is part of the project.

“Work on the Ipswich Motorway-Logan Motorway interchange at Gailes will continue with $121 million provided in the budget, and $100 million towards the $2.3 billion Goodna Bypass from Dinmore to the Logan Motorway " Mr Lucas said.

"The Boundary/Kelliher Roads underpass at Darra is moving to completion with $12.5 million set aside in this year’s budget.

“Jointly funded by the Queensland Governmdent, Brisbane City Council and Queensland Rail, the $43 million project removes a difficult traffic bottleneck.

“It completes a two kilometre, four-lane "missing link" in the Centenary Highway and will have obvious flow on benefits for Ipswich traffic.

“Improving road safety and easing congestion in one of Australia’s fastest growing areas remains a key objective of the Queensland Government.”

Mr Lucas said the State Budget would also encourage more Ipswich residents to make the switch to public transport for travel within the city and to Brisbane.

“With $70 million over four years for extra TransLink services, commuters will notice a new era in connectivity between buses and trains in the Ipswich region.

“That comes on top of the $104.6 million we’re spending on another 132 new Citytrain carriages to boost the number of seats on peak services.”

Mr Lucas has also revealed details of the record $13.3 billion would be spent over five years under Roads Implementation Program (RIP), with $2.63 billion for Ipswich.

Media contact: Robert Hoge 3237 1942 or
Darren Roberts 3237 1947

Budget highlights:

$384.5 million for improvements to the Ipswich Motorway
$134.4 million to continue the Centenary Highway extension from Springfield to Yamanto
$134.2 million to start planning and other initial works for upgrading the Centenary Highway to four lanes between Springfield and the Ipswich Motorway, and to extend a railway line to Springfield
$7.7 million in 2007/08 of a $68 million project to upgrade older Citytrains
$1.34 million to complete a $55.74 million contract to upgrade 24 locomotives to 2250 Class
part of $52.7 million for manufacturing 770 coal wagons
part of $40.3 million for manufacturing 15 Class 4000 locomotives
part of $17.4 million for extensions to the South East Queensland Cycle Network
part of $15.75 million for upgrading Queensland Rail's 12 and 16 cylinder locomotive fleets
part of $15 million to increase freight carrying capacity of the Citytrain railway network
part of $10.9 million to upgrade Citytrain railway tracks to minimum maintenance standard
part of $10 million in 2007-08 of a three-year $48.4 million program to improve disability access on Citytrains
part of $3.7 million to upgrade Citytrain stations, including improved shelter and lighting for passengers
part of $3.6 million to upgrade the Citytrain electrification system
part of $1.73 million to provide a fibre-optic communications link between Citytrain stations.