Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:39 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for north coast roads
Ongoing upgrades to the Sunshine Motorway would be a priority for $566.9 million investment into north coast roads, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
The funding forms part of a record $3.235 billion commitment that 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 completing the Sunshine Motorway upgrade and targeting traffic hotspots were highlights of the 2008-09 roads investment for the Sunshine Coast, Somerset and Caboolture areas.
“This year $54.8 million in funding will see the completion of the $255 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade,” Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt said as part of this package $13.5 million had been allocated to continue the $104 million four–laning project from Maroochydore Road to Pacific Paradise, and $32.4 million for construction of the Pacific Paradise interchange and access to David Low Way, at a total estimated cost of $85 million.
“The State Government has delivered on its commitment to accelerate delivery of the Maroochy Bridge and approaches, and is making solid progress with the commitment to complete the whole project by the end of 2008,” Mr Pitt said.
Funding of $5.9 million has also been allocated towards concept planning for future upgrades to the Sunshine Motorway at Mooloolah River Interchange, between Pacific Paradise and the Yandina-Coolum Road, and from the Yandina-Coolum Road to Emu Mountain Road.
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 roads Budget—a six per cent increase on last year’s roads investment— 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.
Other 2008-09 allocations include:
• $27.2 million to complete widening of the Caloundra Road to four lanes between the Bruce Highway and Pierce Avenue, west of Caloundra, at a total estimated cost of $80 million
• $14 million to complete a $75 million project to construct the Caloundra-Mooloolaba Road between Caloundra Road and Creekside Boulevard
• $13.78 million to duplicate the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road between Aerodrome Road and Pasturage Road, at a total cost of $45.74 million
• $7.9 million to complete the four-laning of Maroochydore Road from the Bruce Highway to Pike Street/Hobbs Road—the final stage of $90 million works to relieve congestion and improve safety
• $6.2 million to improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of Menzies Drive and Mudjimba Beach Road on David Low Way, as part of a $9.9 million project
• $6.1 million to repair, strengthen and widen the D'Aguilar Highway between Villeneuve Road and Arnolds Road North, east of Kilcoy, at a total estimated cost of $6.3 million
• $5.9 million for improvements to the Mooloolaba Road and Dixon Road intersection, and $2.5 million towards rehabilitating and widening Mooloolaba Road between Walgarri Drive and Mackenzie Green
• $3.4 million to complete widening, repairing and strengthening on Mt Mee Road between Lewington Road and the D’Aguilar Highway, at a total estimated cost of $3.8 million
• $1.7 million to complete rehabilitation and widening works on Steve Irwin Way, between Red Road and Moffats Road; $329,000 to complete concept planning for the upgrading of Steve Irwin Way between the southern interchange with the Bruce Highway and Landsborough and $10.6m to start construction of the four-laning of Steve Irwin Way between Mooloolah Connection Road and the Caloundra Road interchange
• $936,000 to complete realignment to two lanes at Campbells Pocket Road, on Mt Mee Road, at a total estimated cost of $1 million
• a further $296,000 to complete the $4 million project to replace Sheepstation Creek bridge on the D'Aguilar Highway.
Mr Pitt said Sunshine Coast’s regional councils would also benefit, with $9.8 million funding directed to the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Somerset 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:
• $7 million to assist councils to upgrade local roads and bridges, including Pumicestone Road, Dohles Rocks Road, the Oxley Avenue/Eversleigh Road intersection, Glanmorgan Vale Road, Sandy Creek Road (Kilcoy), Old Gympie Road, Dusty Rhodes Bridge, Dixon Road and the Tewantin Bypass
• $1.8 million to provide improved facilities such as pedestrian traffic signals, bikeways, footpaths, passenger set down and parking facilities to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and school children at various locations throughout the region
• $100,000 to assist council with training and the capability of their workforce.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The funding forms part of a record $3.235 billion commitment that 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 completing the Sunshine Motorway upgrade and targeting traffic hotspots were highlights of the 2008-09 roads investment for the Sunshine Coast, Somerset and Caboolture areas.
“This year $54.8 million in funding will see the completion of the $255 million Sunshine Motorway upgrade,” Mr Pitt said.
Mr Pitt said as part of this package $13.5 million had been allocated to continue the $104 million four–laning project from Maroochydore Road to Pacific Paradise, and $32.4 million for construction of the Pacific Paradise interchange and access to David Low Way, at a total estimated cost of $85 million.
“The State Government has delivered on its commitment to accelerate delivery of the Maroochy Bridge and approaches, and is making solid progress with the commitment to complete the whole project by the end of 2008,” Mr Pitt said.
Funding of $5.9 million has also been allocated towards concept planning for future upgrades to the Sunshine Motorway at Mooloolah River Interchange, between Pacific Paradise and the Yandina-Coolum Road, and from the Yandina-Coolum Road to Emu Mountain Road.
Mr Pitt said the 2008-09 roads Budget—a six per cent increase on last year’s roads investment— 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.
Other 2008-09 allocations include:
• $27.2 million to complete widening of the Caloundra Road to four lanes between the Bruce Highway and Pierce Avenue, west of Caloundra, at a total estimated cost of $80 million
• $14 million to complete a $75 million project to construct the Caloundra-Mooloolaba Road between Caloundra Road and Creekside Boulevard
• $13.78 million to duplicate the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road between Aerodrome Road and Pasturage Road, at a total cost of $45.74 million
• $7.9 million to complete the four-laning of Maroochydore Road from the Bruce Highway to Pike Street/Hobbs Road—the final stage of $90 million works to relieve congestion and improve safety
• $6.2 million to improve safety and reduce congestion at the intersection of Menzies Drive and Mudjimba Beach Road on David Low Way, as part of a $9.9 million project
• $6.1 million to repair, strengthen and widen the D'Aguilar Highway between Villeneuve Road and Arnolds Road North, east of Kilcoy, at a total estimated cost of $6.3 million
• $5.9 million for improvements to the Mooloolaba Road and Dixon Road intersection, and $2.5 million towards rehabilitating and widening Mooloolaba Road between Walgarri Drive and Mackenzie Green
• $3.4 million to complete widening, repairing and strengthening on Mt Mee Road between Lewington Road and the D’Aguilar Highway, at a total estimated cost of $3.8 million
• $1.7 million to complete rehabilitation and widening works on Steve Irwin Way, between Red Road and Moffats Road; $329,000 to complete concept planning for the upgrading of Steve Irwin Way between the southern interchange with the Bruce Highway and Landsborough and $10.6m to start construction of the four-laning of Steve Irwin Way between Mooloolah Connection Road and the Caloundra Road interchange
• $936,000 to complete realignment to two lanes at Campbells Pocket Road, on Mt Mee Road, at a total estimated cost of $1 million
• a further $296,000 to complete the $4 million project to replace Sheepstation Creek bridge on the D'Aguilar Highway.
Mr Pitt said Sunshine Coast’s regional councils would also benefit, with $9.8 million funding directed to the Sunshine Coast, Moreton Bay and Somerset 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:
• $7 million to assist councils to upgrade local roads and bridges, including Pumicestone Road, Dohles Rocks Road, the Oxley Avenue/Eversleigh Road intersection, Glanmorgan Vale Road, Sandy Creek Road (Kilcoy), Old Gympie Road, Dusty Rhodes Bridge, Dixon Road and the Tewantin Bypass
• $1.8 million to provide improved facilities such as pedestrian traffic signals, bikeways, footpaths, passenger set down and parking facilities to improve safety for pedestrians, cyclists and school children at various locations throughout the region
• $100,000 to assist council with training and the capability of their workforce.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819