Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:37 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for Brisbane roads
A record State Budget investment for Queensland’s roads would see $761.3 million directed towards critical congestion and safety improvements in the Brisbane area, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
A record $3.235 billion commitment will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans, including major projects already underway to help Queensland manage the impacts of rapid population growth.
Mr Pitt said funding for Brisbane roads would deliver critical road improvements for Brisbane and surrounds, including major projects to target the impact of urban traffic growth.
“This will include major milestones on the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project, with some $537.6 million provided this year towards its continued construction,” Mr Pitt said.
“Sections of this major project are being opened as they are completed, to fast-track benefits for Brisbane drivers. By mid-2009, four of the new Gateway Motorway deviation’s six lanes will be open, with the new bridge due to open by mid-2010.
“Another $20 million has been directed towards the acceleration of planning on the Gateway Motorway’s ‘missing links’—the northern section between Nudgee Road and the Bruce Highway, and south from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to the Pacific Motorway—as part of a joint Queensland and Australian Government funded project.”
Mr Pitt said funding for Brisbane’s roads was part of a record roads spend—six per cent higher than last year’s road investment—that would help enhance, rehabilitate and preserve Queensland’s road network.
“This funding increase will see more than $60 million spent on building and preserving Queensland roads each week throughout 2008-09,” Mr Pitt said.
“It means more funding to keep building the critical infrastructure already being constructed across Queensland, and more funding to enhance our planning for future growth.”
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 State Budget provided $150 million towards construction of the new Houghton Highway Bridge between Brighton and Redcliffe.
“The bridge will double traffic capacity between the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate, as well as providing safer, all-weather access for Redcliffe residents and commuters,” Mr Pitt said.
Other Brisbane projects funded in the 2008-09 Budget include:
• $71 million under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program to continue the Acacia Ridge rail crossing overpass on Beaudesert Road, at a total estimated cost of $113.2 million
• $9.1 million to complete intersection improvements at Pritchard Street, on the Port of Brisbane Road, at a total estimated cost of $10 million
• $9.1 million to complete duplication of Redland Bay Road at Alexandra Hills, at a total estimated cost of $19.7 million
• $8.7 million for widening and overlaying pavement on Beaudesert Road between Fox Road and Bradman Street at Acacia Ridge.
“The 2008-09 roads Budget clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering a roads program to support Queensland's growing population while managing urban traffic growth and congestion,” Mr Pitt said.
“This government is committed to providing safe and secure communities through safer roads.”
Mr Pitt said Brisbane City and Redland City councils would also benefit, with $16 million in funding directed to the councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Mr Pitt said TIDS allocations for 2008-09 would include:
• $3.2 million for Brisbane City Council to construct a bikeway adjacent to the Pacific Motorway between Nathan and Logan Road, with a total State Government contribution of $13.2 million
• $1.4 million for Brisbane City Council for improvements at the New Cleveland Road and Tilley Road intersection at Chandler, with a total State Government contribution of $2.8 million
• $566,000 for Redland City Council to widen pavement on Quarry Road between Clive Road and Rosewood Street at Birkdale
• $350,000 for Redland City Council to install traffic signals at the Panorama Drive and Wellington Street, Thornlands.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
A record $3.235 billion commitment will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans, including major projects already underway to help Queensland manage the impacts of rapid population growth.
Mr Pitt said funding for Brisbane roads would deliver critical road improvements for Brisbane and surrounds, including major projects to target the impact of urban traffic growth.
“This will include major milestones on the $1.88 billion Gateway Upgrade Project, with some $537.6 million provided this year towards its continued construction,” Mr Pitt said.
“Sections of this major project are being opened as they are completed, to fast-track benefits for Brisbane drivers. By mid-2009, four of the new Gateway Motorway deviation’s six lanes will be open, with the new bridge due to open by mid-2010.
“Another $20 million has been directed towards the acceleration of planning on the Gateway Motorway’s ‘missing links’—the northern section between Nudgee Road and the Bruce Highway, and south from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to the Pacific Motorway—as part of a joint Queensland and Australian Government funded project.”
Mr Pitt said funding for Brisbane’s roads was part of a record roads spend—six per cent higher than last year’s road investment—that would help enhance, rehabilitate and preserve Queensland’s road network.
“This funding increase will see more than $60 million spent on building and preserving Queensland roads each week throughout 2008-09,” Mr Pitt said.
“It means more funding to keep building the critical infrastructure already being constructed across Queensland, and more funding to enhance our planning for future growth.”
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 State Budget provided $150 million towards construction of the new Houghton Highway Bridge between Brighton and Redcliffe.
“The bridge will double traffic capacity between the Redcliffe Peninsula and Sandgate, as well as providing safer, all-weather access for Redcliffe residents and commuters,” Mr Pitt said.
Other Brisbane projects funded in the 2008-09 Budget include:
• $71 million under the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program to continue the Acacia Ridge rail crossing overpass on Beaudesert Road, at a total estimated cost of $113.2 million
• $9.1 million to complete intersection improvements at Pritchard Street, on the Port of Brisbane Road, at a total estimated cost of $10 million
• $9.1 million to complete duplication of Redland Bay Road at Alexandra Hills, at a total estimated cost of $19.7 million
• $8.7 million for widening and overlaying pavement on Beaudesert Road between Fox Road and Bradman Street at Acacia Ridge.
“The 2008-09 roads Budget clearly demonstrates our commitment to delivering a roads program to support Queensland's growing population while managing urban traffic growth and congestion,” Mr Pitt said.
“This government is committed to providing safe and secure communities through safer roads.”
Mr Pitt said Brisbane City and Redland City councils would also benefit, with $16 million in funding directed to the councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Mr Pitt said TIDS allocations for 2008-09 would include:
• $3.2 million for Brisbane City Council to construct a bikeway adjacent to the Pacific Motorway between Nathan and Logan Road, with a total State Government contribution of $13.2 million
• $1.4 million for Brisbane City Council for improvements at the New Cleveland Road and Tilley Road intersection at Chandler, with a total State Government contribution of $2.8 million
• $566,000 for Redland City Council to widen pavement on Quarry Road between Clive Road and Rosewood Street at Birkdale
• $350,000 for Redland City Council to install traffic signals at the Panorama Drive and Wellington Street, Thornlands.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819