Ipswich roads program into overdrive

The Ipswich region moves up a gear with $2.6 billion in road funding over the next five years with construction going into overdrive to cater for a booming population.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, said over the next two years alone, the region would receive $874 million in state and federal roads funding.

“That compares with the $31 million the region received in the two-year plan which was in place when the Beattie Government came to power in 1998.

“The increase is a good indicator of how the Ipswich region is booming, and the State Government is determined to deliver projects that match that growth,” Mr Lucas said.

Launched today by the Minister, the latest statewide five-year Roads Implementation Program, delivers a whopping $1.75 billion, or 15% increase on last year’s program.

“The program details almost 2 500 road projects , including 99 new additions, to be constructed around the state over the next five years.

"The funding boost is even more impressive when you compare the estimated expenditure over the next five years with spending over the past five years.

“It’s a total increase of $5.3 billion over five years, or 67 per cent to keep Queensland moving and booming,'' Mr Lucas said.

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

“The 18 kilometre, $366 million Centenary Highway extension from Springfield to Yamanto is being built in three stages and remains on track to open to traffic by mid 2009,” he said.

"And $29.2 million has been allocated to start work on a two-lane Ipswich-Cunningham Highway connection road."

Over the first two years the program provides $852 million in federal funding to alleviate pressure on the Ipswich Motorway, including:

·Six-lane upgrade between Wacol and Darra

·The Ipswich Motorway-Logan Motorway interchange at Gailes

·Commencement of work on the $2.3 billion Goodna Bypass from Dinmore to the Logan Motorway.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947 / 0448 184566