Published Wednesday, 01 October, 2008 at 10:45 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
New road caters for growth in Western Corridor
A new 18-kilometre road being built specifically to cater for the growing Western Corridor is rapidly taking shape through the Ripley Valley between Springfield and Ipswich.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today was given a sneak peak of the $366 million project, which involves extending the two-lane Centenary Highway from Springfield to join the Cunningham Highway at Yamanto.
Joining him on the tour was Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan.
Mr Pitt said the project had made significant headway with work between Springfield and South Deebing almost complete.
“This project is a perfect example of the way in which the Bligh Government is planning for and managing growth in south-east Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“We have identified the Western Corridor between Brisbane and Ipswich as a prime growth area for the future.
“The Ripley Valley will be a master-planned community of up to 120,000 people and this new road is a vital part of the infrastructure needed to support this growth.
“The Centenary Highway extension will be the primary transport corridor for southern Ipswich, the Ripley Valley and Springfield, as well as catering for the expanding Swanbank industrial area.
"The new Yamanto interchange is fast taking shape with work well underway in constructing the five-span bridge over the Cunningham Highway, which will provide the eastbound access to the Centenary Highway.”
Ms Nolan applauded the huge amount of work that had been completed so far and said the project’s progress was great news for communities who lived and worked in and around the Western Corridor.
"Construction of this 18-kilometre highway extension is progressing well with the Springfield to Ripley section well ahead of schedule,” Ms Nolan said.
"There has been a massive effort since construction began in December 2006."
Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said almost four million cubic metres of earth had been excavated as part of the project, which included several major cuttings through hillsides.
"Building the highway well ahead of demand highlights the Bligh Government's commitment to meeting the transport needs of the growing Springfield and southern Ipswich areas," she said.
“This project will be warmly welcomed by residents when it opens to traffic in the middle of next year.”
Mr Pitt said the project had also unearthed some interesting geotechnical challenges due to the area’s unique geology.
“After a recent period of significant rainfall, some deformation of the road surface was discovered in two of the main cuttings, prompting Main Roads to conduct detailed geotechnical investigations,” he said.
“The investigation found some instability due to the unique geology in this area, which involves some large bodies of rock sitting on top of weaker sediment layers.
"Main Roads has been working with an international expert and local specialists to develop a solution to the issue, which is now being implemented.
"Despite these issues, we are on track to complete the project within budget and on time in mid 2009.”
Community members can learn more about the project by calling the free call hotline on 1800 500 544 or by visiting the project website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/centenaryhighwayextension
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today was given a sneak peak of the $366 million project, which involves extending the two-lane Centenary Highway from Springfield to join the Cunningham Highway at Yamanto.
Joining him on the tour was Member for Ipswich Rachel Nolan.
Mr Pitt said the project had made significant headway with work between Springfield and South Deebing almost complete.
“This project is a perfect example of the way in which the Bligh Government is planning for and managing growth in south-east Queensland,” Mr Pitt said.
“We have identified the Western Corridor between Brisbane and Ipswich as a prime growth area for the future.
“The Ripley Valley will be a master-planned community of up to 120,000 people and this new road is a vital part of the infrastructure needed to support this growth.
“The Centenary Highway extension will be the primary transport corridor for southern Ipswich, the Ripley Valley and Springfield, as well as catering for the expanding Swanbank industrial area.
"The new Yamanto interchange is fast taking shape with work well underway in constructing the five-span bridge over the Cunningham Highway, which will provide the eastbound access to the Centenary Highway.”
Ms Nolan applauded the huge amount of work that had been completed so far and said the project’s progress was great news for communities who lived and worked in and around the Western Corridor.
"Construction of this 18-kilometre highway extension is progressing well with the Springfield to Ripley section well ahead of schedule,” Ms Nolan said.
"There has been a massive effort since construction began in December 2006."
Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said almost four million cubic metres of earth had been excavated as part of the project, which included several major cuttings through hillsides.
"Building the highway well ahead of demand highlights the Bligh Government's commitment to meeting the transport needs of the growing Springfield and southern Ipswich areas," she said.
“This project will be warmly welcomed by residents when it opens to traffic in the middle of next year.”
Mr Pitt said the project had also unearthed some interesting geotechnical challenges due to the area’s unique geology.
“After a recent period of significant rainfall, some deformation of the road surface was discovered in two of the main cuttings, prompting Main Roads to conduct detailed geotechnical investigations,” he said.
“The investigation found some instability due to the unique geology in this area, which involves some large bodies of rock sitting on top of weaker sediment layers.
"Main Roads has been working with an international expert and local specialists to develop a solution to the issue, which is now being implemented.
"Despite these issues, we are on track to complete the project within budget and on time in mid 2009.”
Community members can learn more about the project by calling the free call hotline on 1800 500 544 or by visiting the project website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au/centenaryhighwayextension
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819