Study to consider options for Centenary Motorway upgrade

Main Roads has begun a $4.5 million concept planning study to look at ways to upgrade the Centenary Motorway between the Ipswich Motorway and the Toowong roundabout, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt said the motorway was recognised as a key link in the city’s road network and needed redevelopment to accommodate the transport needs of a growing population.

"Currently the corridor has an average of about 67,000 vehicles travelling along it daily, which means the road is nearing capacity,” Mr Pitt said.

"Planning for the motorway will also need to incorporate the outcomes of the current Western Brisbane Transport Network Investigation project, as well as the smaller but significant Kenmore Bypass Planning Study.

"The Centenary Motorway will also be required to perform its vital role as part of the Brisbane North Urban Corridor, recognised by the Federal Government as nationally significant."

The Centenary Motorway Planning Study is at the beginning of the planning cycle. At this stage, neither funding for the project’s construction has been approved nor a fixed construction time frame identified.

Main Roads has been working with other state agencies, including TransLink and Queensland Transport, and Brisbane City Council to ensure the ideas developed for the Centenary Motorway are integrated into the wider strategic picture.

Main Roads is working specifically with the council to determine how to best connect the Centenary Motorway to the proposed Northern Link project near the Mount Coot-tha Road roundabout, and to align with the council's current project timeline for Northern Link.

"Main Roads is also considering various options for congestion management solutions, such as combined transit and bus priority lanes, tidal flow lanes and provision for tolled access for some lower-occupancy vehicles based on initiatives in use overseas,” Mr Pitt said.

"As part of its planning process, Main Roads has been developing a number of scenarios to test integration into the wider strategic picture. Main Roads will be undertaking a comprehensive community consultation exercise as part of the planning study in the future.

"Main Roads is committed to engaging with the community in its planning processes and will do so when the full requirements of this road link are confirmed with the outcomes of connected planning studies," Mr Pitt said.

Mr Pitt said speculation about any detailed plans or potential land impacts was premature at this preliminary stage.

"Speculation suggesting any definite plans have been made or forecasting their possible impacts would be misleading at this early stage of the planning process," Mr Pitt said.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819