Published Thursday, 05 June, 2008 at 05:00 PM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
$16.2 billion record spend for State's roads: Bligh
The State Government’s record spending on infrastructure has been continued in its five-year - $16.2 billion plan - for Queensland’s roads, Premier Anna Bligh and Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
The Premier today released the 2008-09 to 2012-13 Roads Implementation Program (RIP), which is Main Roads’ five-year roadmap for construction throughout the State.
Ms Bligh said the program – Main Roads’ largest ever – would continue progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure priorities.
“The RIP for 2008 to 2013 is looking over the horizon, making long-term detailed planning for the future of our State’s road network,” Ms Bligh said.
“My government is building tomorrow’s Queensland today and we are already laying more bitumen on more roads than at any time in this state’s history. If anybody doubts that, this $16.2 billion RIP is one rock solid piece of evidence.”
Ms Bligh said funding in the latest RIP had increased by $2.9 billion – or 22 per cent - over last year’s program of $13.3 billion.
Almost $12 billion is from the State Budget and $4.2 billion from the Federal Government.
“This investment is State-wide and projects totalling $5.8 billion have been provided for in our regional and rural areas over the next five years,” Ms Bligh said.
“These are huge sums of money and they’ll deliver a record program of road works for all.”
Mr Pitt said the detailed road construction program showed that the Bligh Government was serious about building and maintaining the infrastructure that was vital to Queensland.
“During the next five years, we will invest $16.2 billion in planning, building and maintaining a better road network for Queenslanders,” he said.
He said the RIP outlined planned roadworks over a five-year timeframe, with firm funding commitments for projects in the first two years of the program, and indicative plans and allocations for the following three years.
The program includes $7.9 billion for projects to cater for the rapidly-growing south-east Queensland region and help manage the impacts of urban traffic growth, including $4 billion for projects to support the $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program.
“Tackling congestion problems in south-east Queensland, and supporting ongoing economic and population growth, is a continuing priority,” Mr Pitt said.
Another $5.8 billion will be poured into improving local and freight connections across regional, rural and remote areas of the state.
“Connecting our communities and building our regions remain strong priorities for the Bligh Government.”
He said the 2008-09 to 2012-13 Roads Implementation Program included projects outlined in Tuesday’s 2008-09 State Budget, as well as road projects commencing in 2009-10 and beyond.
Allocations towards major road projects to be significantly progressed in 2009-10 include:
• commencement of major upgrade works as part of the jointly funded $910 million package of works on the Pacific Motorway
• $28.09 million towards duplication of Steve Irwin Way from two to four lanes between Mooloolah Connection Road and the Bruce Highway at the Caloundra interchange
• $17.4 million under a $20 million project to upgrade the Waterford-Tamborine Road between Albert River and Yore Road, including a new 2-lane bridge over the Albert River
• $15 million to commence works on the Leichhardt Highway near the Don River Bridges, at a total cost of $65 million
• $11.8 million to widen a further 60km of narrow seal on the Gregory Developmental Road between Charters Towers and The Lynd
• $9.23 million to upgrade the major intersections and undertake road improvements to the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road between Torbanlea turnoff and Dundowran Road
• $9 million to widen the Kennedy Development Road from Three Ways to The Lynd
• $5.5 million to construct a new road through Idalia between Oonoonba Road and River Boulevard in Townsville
• $5 million towards construction of the Caloundra-Mooloolaba Road from Creekside Boulevard to Kawana Town Centre
• $5 million for construction of a pedestrian crossing to improve students' safety at St Mary's Primary School on Palmerin Street, in Warwick
• $5 million under a $6.3 million project to upgrade Beenleigh Connection Road between Kokoda Street and Chris Green Park in Beenleigh.
On top of the $16.2 billion spend are other works to the value of $5.7 billion, including $4.8 billion for the combined Airport Link and Northern Busway project – the nation’s largest road infrastructure project – and $900 million to complete the Gateway Upgrade Project.
The 5-year program also confirms projects part of a record roads budget for 2008-09, including:
• an upgrade of the federally funded Ipswich Motorway between Wacol and Darra, at a total estimated cost of $700 million and completion of the federally-funded Ipswich/Logan Motorway interchange, at a total estimated cost of $255 million
• construction of the Centenary Highway duplication between Springfield and Darra, in conjunction with the Darra to Springfield rail extension, at an estimated $414.6 million
• construction of new $315 million Houghton Hwy Bridge between Brighton and Redcliffe
• duplication of the Forgan Bridge in Mackay, at a total estimated cost of $128 million
• improvements to flood immunity on the federally funded Bruce Highway between Corduroy Creek and Tully High School, at a total estimated cost of $172.4 million
• construction of stages two and three of the Townsville Ring Road, at a total estimated cost of $119.2 million ($39.8 million - State, $79.5 million - Australian Government)
• construction of the Bundaberg Ring Road, at a total estimated cost of $92 million
• construction of a bridge and approaches at Mulgrave River, south of Cairns, on the federally-funded Bruce Highway, at a total estimated cost of $50 million
• planning for the Gateway Motorway's missing links— northern section between Nudgee Rd and Bruce Hwy, and southern section from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to Pacific Mwy
• paving and sealing Roma-Taroom Road to support oil and gas development and improve regional community access, at a total estimated cost of $29.7 million
• realignment of Dawson Highway at Calliope Range, at a total estimated cost of $70 million
• paving and sealing three sections of the Diamantina Developmental Road between Windorah and Bedourie, at a total estimated cost of $4.4 million.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500; Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The Premier today released the 2008-09 to 2012-13 Roads Implementation Program (RIP), which is Main Roads’ five-year roadmap for construction throughout the State.
Ms Bligh said the program – Main Roads’ largest ever – would continue progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure priorities.
“The RIP for 2008 to 2013 is looking over the horizon, making long-term detailed planning for the future of our State’s road network,” Ms Bligh said.
“My government is building tomorrow’s Queensland today and we are already laying more bitumen on more roads than at any time in this state’s history. If anybody doubts that, this $16.2 billion RIP is one rock solid piece of evidence.”
Ms Bligh said funding in the latest RIP had increased by $2.9 billion – or 22 per cent - over last year’s program of $13.3 billion.
Almost $12 billion is from the State Budget and $4.2 billion from the Federal Government.
“This investment is State-wide and projects totalling $5.8 billion have been provided for in our regional and rural areas over the next five years,” Ms Bligh said.
“These are huge sums of money and they’ll deliver a record program of road works for all.”
Mr Pitt said the detailed road construction program showed that the Bligh Government was serious about building and maintaining the infrastructure that was vital to Queensland.
“During the next five years, we will invest $16.2 billion in planning, building and maintaining a better road network for Queenslanders,” he said.
He said the RIP outlined planned roadworks over a five-year timeframe, with firm funding commitments for projects in the first two years of the program, and indicative plans and allocations for the following three years.
The program includes $7.9 billion for projects to cater for the rapidly-growing south-east Queensland region and help manage the impacts of urban traffic growth, including $4 billion for projects to support the $107 billion South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program.
“Tackling congestion problems in south-east Queensland, and supporting ongoing economic and population growth, is a continuing priority,” Mr Pitt said.
Another $5.8 billion will be poured into improving local and freight connections across regional, rural and remote areas of the state.
“Connecting our communities and building our regions remain strong priorities for the Bligh Government.”
He said the 2008-09 to 2012-13 Roads Implementation Program included projects outlined in Tuesday’s 2008-09 State Budget, as well as road projects commencing in 2009-10 and beyond.
Allocations towards major road projects to be significantly progressed in 2009-10 include:
• commencement of major upgrade works as part of the jointly funded $910 million package of works on the Pacific Motorway
• $28.09 million towards duplication of Steve Irwin Way from two to four lanes between Mooloolah Connection Road and the Bruce Highway at the Caloundra interchange
• $17.4 million under a $20 million project to upgrade the Waterford-Tamborine Road between Albert River and Yore Road, including a new 2-lane bridge over the Albert River
• $15 million to commence works on the Leichhardt Highway near the Don River Bridges, at a total cost of $65 million
• $11.8 million to widen a further 60km of narrow seal on the Gregory Developmental Road between Charters Towers and The Lynd
• $9.23 million to upgrade the major intersections and undertake road improvements to the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road between Torbanlea turnoff and Dundowran Road
• $9 million to widen the Kennedy Development Road from Three Ways to The Lynd
• $5.5 million to construct a new road through Idalia between Oonoonba Road and River Boulevard in Townsville
• $5 million towards construction of the Caloundra-Mooloolaba Road from Creekside Boulevard to Kawana Town Centre
• $5 million for construction of a pedestrian crossing to improve students' safety at St Mary's Primary School on Palmerin Street, in Warwick
• $5 million under a $6.3 million project to upgrade Beenleigh Connection Road between Kokoda Street and Chris Green Park in Beenleigh.
On top of the $16.2 billion spend are other works to the value of $5.7 billion, including $4.8 billion for the combined Airport Link and Northern Busway project – the nation’s largest road infrastructure project – and $900 million to complete the Gateway Upgrade Project.
The 5-year program also confirms projects part of a record roads budget for 2008-09, including:
• an upgrade of the federally funded Ipswich Motorway between Wacol and Darra, at a total estimated cost of $700 million and completion of the federally-funded Ipswich/Logan Motorway interchange, at a total estimated cost of $255 million
• construction of the Centenary Highway duplication between Springfield and Darra, in conjunction with the Darra to Springfield rail extension, at an estimated $414.6 million
• construction of new $315 million Houghton Hwy Bridge between Brighton and Redcliffe
• duplication of the Forgan Bridge in Mackay, at a total estimated cost of $128 million
• improvements to flood immunity on the federally funded Bruce Highway between Corduroy Creek and Tully High School, at a total estimated cost of $172.4 million
• construction of stages two and three of the Townsville Ring Road, at a total estimated cost of $119.2 million ($39.8 million - State, $79.5 million - Australian Government)
• construction of the Bundaberg Ring Road, at a total estimated cost of $92 million
• construction of a bridge and approaches at Mulgrave River, south of Cairns, on the federally-funded Bruce Highway, at a total estimated cost of $50 million
• planning for the Gateway Motorway's missing links— northern section between Nudgee Rd and Bruce Hwy, and southern section from Mt Gravatt-Capalaba Road to Pacific Mwy
• paving and sealing Roma-Taroom Road to support oil and gas development and improve regional community access, at a total estimated cost of $29.7 million
• realignment of Dawson Highway at Calliope Range, at a total estimated cost of $70 million
• paving and sealing three sections of the Diamantina Developmental Road between Windorah and Bedourie, at a total estimated cost of $4.4 million.
Media contacts: Premier’s Office 3224 4500; Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819