Published Friday, 24 October, 2008 at 05:51 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
No secrets about Centenary Motorway Planning Study
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has dismissed claims of a supposed ‘secret’ report about the Centenary Motorway as old news, given that an announcement about the project was made almost three months ago.
Mr Pitt said the Centenary Motorway concept planning study, announced on 8 August this year, was looking at ways to upgrade the Centenary Motorway between the Ipswich Motorway and the Toowong roundabout.
"As part of this $4.5 million study, Main Roads is considering various options for congestion management solutions,” he said.
“It was made quite clear at the time – and covered by numerous media outlets – that tolled access to the motorway for lower-occupancy vehicles would be considered as one of the options.
“These lanes are used successfully overseas and known in some countries as high-occupancy tolling, or HOT lanes.
“These lanes can help improve traffic flow because a toll is applied to vehicles that don’t comply with the recommended vehicle occupancy. For example, one occupant in a vehicle using a T2 lane or two occupants using a T3 lane would incur a toll.
"The benefits of HOT lanes are to encourage car pooling, therefore benefiting the environment and helping ease congestion.
“We must remember that this is just one of several options being considered. Other options include combined transit and bus priority lanes or tidal flow lanes.
“The Bligh Government is determined to tackle congestion and we will consider any options that may be suitable for use in south-east Queensland.
Mr Pitt said the Centenary Motorway Planning Study was still at the start of the planning cycle.
"Speculation suggesting any definite plans have been made would be misleading at this early stage of the planning process," Mr Pitt said.
"As part of this process, Main Roads has been developing several scenarios to test integration into the wider strategic picture for our roads. Main Roads will be undertaking a comprehensive community consultation exercise as part of the planning study in the future.”
For original announcement, go to http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=59636
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the Centenary Motorway concept planning study, announced on 8 August this year, was looking at ways to upgrade the Centenary Motorway between the Ipswich Motorway and the Toowong roundabout.
"As part of this $4.5 million study, Main Roads is considering various options for congestion management solutions,” he said.
“It was made quite clear at the time – and covered by numerous media outlets – that tolled access to the motorway for lower-occupancy vehicles would be considered as one of the options.
“These lanes are used successfully overseas and known in some countries as high-occupancy tolling, or HOT lanes.
“These lanes can help improve traffic flow because a toll is applied to vehicles that don’t comply with the recommended vehicle occupancy. For example, one occupant in a vehicle using a T2 lane or two occupants using a T3 lane would incur a toll.
"The benefits of HOT lanes are to encourage car pooling, therefore benefiting the environment and helping ease congestion.
“We must remember that this is just one of several options being considered. Other options include combined transit and bus priority lanes or tidal flow lanes.
“The Bligh Government is determined to tackle congestion and we will consider any options that may be suitable for use in south-east Queensland.
Mr Pitt said the Centenary Motorway Planning Study was still at the start of the planning cycle.
"Speculation suggesting any definite plans have been made would be misleading at this early stage of the planning process," Mr Pitt said.
"As part of this process, Main Roads has been developing several scenarios to test integration into the wider strategic picture for our roads. Main Roads will be undertaking a comprehensive community consultation exercise as part of the planning study in the future.”
For original announcement, go to http://statements.cabinet.qld.gov.au/MMS/StatementDisplaySingle.aspx?id=59636
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819