Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for Ipswich roads
A State Budget boost of more than $200 million for Ipswich roads would drive continued progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plan, and target improvements on the Ipswich Motorway, 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 the $202.7 million investment for Ipswich roads would deliver critical road improvements for South East Queensland, including major projects to target the impact of urban traffic growth in the growing Western Corridor region.
“In 2008-09 close to $320 million of federal funding will be spent planning and constructing landmark upgrade projects on the Ipswich Motorway,” Mr Pitt said.
“This funding will help progress these vital upgrades, as well as steer the first stage of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade at the Logan Motorway interchange towards an early 2009 completion.
“An amount of $200 million has been allocated towards the federally-funded Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Wacol and Darra—including reconstruction of the Centenary Highway interchange—at a total estimated cost of $700 million.
“A $100 million allocation will see completion of the $255 million upgrade at the Logan Motorway interchange early next year. Once completed, Ipswich motorists will be using wider, safer lanes and new left-side merges, as well as improved service roads and cross-motorway connections.”
Another $20 million has been allocated towards planning and land acquisitions for the upgrade to six lanes between Dinmore and Goodna, at a total estimated cost of $50 million.
Mr Pitt said 2008-09 Budget funding would also target other routes in the fast-growing western corridor region.
“$168.7 million has been provided for the Centenary Highway duplication between Springfield and Darra, in conjunction with the Darra to Springfield rail extension, at a total estimated cost of $414.6 million.
“Another $49.7 million will be directed towards the new two-lane road extension of the Centenary Highway from Springfield to Yamanto, a $366 million project that will cater for the growing Ripley Valley.”
A $3.82 million allocation will also provide for completion of a planning study for a future connection between Warrego and Cunningham highways.
"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 Ipswich City Council and local roads also benefit, with $700,000 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:
• $196,890 to repair and strengthen River Road between Dinmore Street and Richard Street
• $75,000 for passenger set-down facilities at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at Woodend, with a total state government contribution of $175,000
• $74,000 for construction of a bikeway and footpath at Redbank Plains State High School.
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 the $202.7 million investment for Ipswich roads would deliver critical road improvements for South East Queensland, including major projects to target the impact of urban traffic growth in the growing Western Corridor region.
“In 2008-09 close to $320 million of federal funding will be spent planning and constructing landmark upgrade projects on the Ipswich Motorway,” Mr Pitt said.
“This funding will help progress these vital upgrades, as well as steer the first stage of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade at the Logan Motorway interchange towards an early 2009 completion.
“An amount of $200 million has been allocated towards the federally-funded Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Wacol and Darra—including reconstruction of the Centenary Highway interchange—at a total estimated cost of $700 million.
“A $100 million allocation will see completion of the $255 million upgrade at the Logan Motorway interchange early next year. Once completed, Ipswich motorists will be using wider, safer lanes and new left-side merges, as well as improved service roads and cross-motorway connections.”
Another $20 million has been allocated towards planning and land acquisitions for the upgrade to six lanes between Dinmore and Goodna, at a total estimated cost of $50 million.
Mr Pitt said 2008-09 Budget funding would also target other routes in the fast-growing western corridor region.
“$168.7 million has been provided for the Centenary Highway duplication between Springfield and Darra, in conjunction with the Darra to Springfield rail extension, at a total estimated cost of $414.6 million.
“Another $49.7 million will be directed towards the new two-lane road extension of the Centenary Highway from Springfield to Yamanto, a $366 million project that will cater for the growing Ripley Valley.”
A $3.82 million allocation will also provide for completion of a planning study for a future connection between Warrego and Cunningham highways.
"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 Ipswich City Council and local roads also benefit, with $700,000 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:
• $196,890 to repair and strengthen River Road between Dinmore Street and Richard Street
• $75,000 for passenger set-down facilities at St Mary’s Catholic Primary School at Woodend, with a total state government contribution of $175,000
• $74,000 for construction of a bikeway and footpath at Redbank Plains State High School.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819