Major Bruce Highway upgrade closer as planning study starts
Published Friday, 28 November, 2008 at 02:00 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The Australian and Queensland governments have embarked on a major planning study for the Bruce Highway as part of a $150 million upgrade planned for the existing southern corridor.
Queensland Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour said the planning study would look at the Bruce Highway from south of Edmonton to Draper Street, near the Cairns city centre.
Mr Turnour said the study would consider a total transport solution using the existing southern transport corridor that would meet the needs of residents and freight in coming decades.
“The vital information gained from the planning work will also be used to upgrade priority sections of the highway between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive,” Mr Turnour said.
Maunsell AECOM has been awarded the $5 million contract for this complex planning study.
Mr Pitt thanked the Australian Government for the funding to carry out the planning.
"About 55,000 vehicles a day currently travel this stretch of highway and I’ve experienced this road at peak hour," Mr Pitt said.
"It's imperative that current constraints are addressed, through sound planning, to provide a high standard of highway access that will support Cairns' continuing development.
"The study will address impacts of rapid urban growth, peak-hour congestion and traffic accidents on this stretch of the Bruce Highway.
"The planning work will include extensive community consultation activities."
Mr Pitt offered his full support for the planning.
"This planning work is the first step to a better future on our roads in the region and will investigate features to reduce traffic congestion at major intersections on the Sheehy Road–Ray Jones Drive section of the highway," he said.
"This project will allow better access and linkages for all highway traffic and to the southern suburbs of Cairns.
"The current work is vital to identify our options for the upgrade and will include detailed layouts of the design options for interchanges, service roads, public transport facilities, pedestrian crossings and cyclist facilities which will pave the way for the design and construction phase," Mr Pitt said.
Mr Turnour reinforced the Rudd Labor Government’s $150 million commitment for the upgrade.
“I fought hard for this project in the lead-up to the election and worked with Minister Albanese and Minister Pitt to bring funding forward into this financial year so that planning could commence as quickly as possible,” he said.
"This project is another critical step in the Labor Government’s $2.2 billion plan to advance the condition and capacity of the Bruce Highway during the next five years.
"The planning work between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive is part of the Australian Government's $23 million commitment to tackle urban congestion.
"The design for a modern, well-planned road will help to reduce transport costs and public transport commuting times, boosting the region's productivity."
Once an option for the upgrade has been approved, timelines for design and construction will be finalised.
Mr Pitt said the time needed was typical for a major planning study, which had to consider complex issues arising from planning an upgrade in a highly developed area.
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office: 3227 8819; Mr Turnour’s Office: 4051 2220
Queensland Main Roads Minister and Member for Mulgrave Warren Pitt and Federal Member for Leichhardt Jim Turnour said the planning study would look at the Bruce Highway from south of Edmonton to Draper Street, near the Cairns city centre.
Mr Turnour said the study would consider a total transport solution using the existing southern transport corridor that would meet the needs of residents and freight in coming decades.
“The vital information gained from the planning work will also be used to upgrade priority sections of the highway between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive,” Mr Turnour said.
Maunsell AECOM has been awarded the $5 million contract for this complex planning study.
Mr Pitt thanked the Australian Government for the funding to carry out the planning.
"About 55,000 vehicles a day currently travel this stretch of highway and I’ve experienced this road at peak hour," Mr Pitt said.
"It's imperative that current constraints are addressed, through sound planning, to provide a high standard of highway access that will support Cairns' continuing development.
"The study will address impacts of rapid urban growth, peak-hour congestion and traffic accidents on this stretch of the Bruce Highway.
"The planning work will include extensive community consultation activities."
Mr Pitt offered his full support for the planning.
"This planning work is the first step to a better future on our roads in the region and will investigate features to reduce traffic congestion at major intersections on the Sheehy Road–Ray Jones Drive section of the highway," he said.
"This project will allow better access and linkages for all highway traffic and to the southern suburbs of Cairns.
"The current work is vital to identify our options for the upgrade and will include detailed layouts of the design options for interchanges, service roads, public transport facilities, pedestrian crossings and cyclist facilities which will pave the way for the design and construction phase," Mr Pitt said.
Mr Turnour reinforced the Rudd Labor Government’s $150 million commitment for the upgrade.
“I fought hard for this project in the lead-up to the election and worked with Minister Albanese and Minister Pitt to bring funding forward into this financial year so that planning could commence as quickly as possible,” he said.
"This project is another critical step in the Labor Government’s $2.2 billion plan to advance the condition and capacity of the Bruce Highway during the next five years.
"The planning work between Sheehy Road and Ray Jones Drive is part of the Australian Government's $23 million commitment to tackle urban congestion.
"The design for a modern, well-planned road will help to reduce transport costs and public transport commuting times, boosting the region's productivity."
Once an option for the upgrade has been approved, timelines for design and construction will be finalised.
Mr Pitt said the time needed was typical for a major planning study, which had to consider complex issues arising from planning an upgrade in a highly developed area.
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office: 3227 8819; Mr Turnour’s Office: 4051 2220