Published Thursday, 17 July, 2008 at 04:34 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Next major project to upgrade Ipswich Motorway moves to starting grid
The Queensland Government is ready to hit the ground running on the long overdue Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Dinmore and Goodna, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
Mr Pitt told a budget Estimates Committee hearing that the Queensland Main Roads Department was on the verge of finalising the road designers and contractors that would form an alliance and get the job done.
He said Main Roads had received 22 formal proposals from companies wishing to become alliance participants for the project.
“These proposals have been assessed by a selection panel, and arrangements to put an alliance of project partners in place are nearing completion.”
Mr Pitt said that in the current buoyant construction sector, Main Roads had taken a different approach to ensure the most suitable contracting arrangements.
“Normally a major contractor would be responsible for proposing and forming an alliance. However, in this case, Main Roads is taking the leading role in bringing the team together,” he said.
“Main Roads expects to announce details of contracting arrangements soon.
“This project demonstrates how the Queensland and Australian governments are working closely to deliver vital infrastructure for the rapidly growing western corridor region.”
Mr Pitt said a decision had been made to preserve the transport corridor that had been identified for the Goodna Bypass and to retain properties acquired to date.
“This approach, which is supported by the Federal Government, looks to the long-term future and is a sensible land use decision to cater for the region’s continuing growth.
“It does not mean, however, that the bypass project as proposed by the former federal coalition government will proceed at some future date,” he said.
“The Goodna Bypass proposal – as the alternative to upgrading the existing motorway – has been scrapped, and the proof of that is we are proceeding full steam with the Goodna to Dinmore project.
“It is worth noting that the previous federal government's obsession with the Goodna Bypass has caused a four-year delay to the upgrade project, resulting in increased accidents, congestion and construction costs.
“Fortunately, the blame game is now over. The Federal Minister, Anthony Albanese, and I are committed to working closely together to fix the Ipswich Motorway. It is our top priority.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt told a budget Estimates Committee hearing that the Queensland Main Roads Department was on the verge of finalising the road designers and contractors that would form an alliance and get the job done.
He said Main Roads had received 22 formal proposals from companies wishing to become alliance participants for the project.
“These proposals have been assessed by a selection panel, and arrangements to put an alliance of project partners in place are nearing completion.”
Mr Pitt said that in the current buoyant construction sector, Main Roads had taken a different approach to ensure the most suitable contracting arrangements.
“Normally a major contractor would be responsible for proposing and forming an alliance. However, in this case, Main Roads is taking the leading role in bringing the team together,” he said.
“Main Roads expects to announce details of contracting arrangements soon.
“This project demonstrates how the Queensland and Australian governments are working closely to deliver vital infrastructure for the rapidly growing western corridor region.”
Mr Pitt said a decision had been made to preserve the transport corridor that had been identified for the Goodna Bypass and to retain properties acquired to date.
“This approach, which is supported by the Federal Government, looks to the long-term future and is a sensible land use decision to cater for the region’s continuing growth.
“It does not mean, however, that the bypass project as proposed by the former federal coalition government will proceed at some future date,” he said.
“The Goodna Bypass proposal – as the alternative to upgrading the existing motorway – has been scrapped, and the proof of that is we are proceeding full steam with the Goodna to Dinmore project.
“It is worth noting that the previous federal government's obsession with the Goodna Bypass has caused a four-year delay to the upgrade project, resulting in increased accidents, congestion and construction costs.
“Fortunately, the blame game is now over. The Federal Minister, Anthony Albanese, and I are committed to working closely together to fix the Ipswich Motorway. It is our top priority.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819