Roads, transport put pedal to the metal on economic recovery, jobs

Major road and transport projects across Queensland are set to drive the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for economic recovery and jobs with billions of dollars’ worth of upgrades set to start or finish in 2021.

Inspecting progress on the $80 million Sumners Road Interchange upgrade today, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Queenslanders would also witness a number of projects completed in 2021.

“2021 is the year of construction and jobs in Queensland thanks to a $50 billion, four-year infrastructure guarantee by this government as part of our economic recovery plan,” Mr Bailey said.

“Queenslanders last year backed our plan for economic recovery – and we’re backing them with the start of a record four-year, $26.9 billion roads and transport budget that will create more than 23,600 jobs.

“From sealing our western roads and investing our regional ports to getting started on the second M1 and building on our 33 Bruce Highway upgrades underway right now – there will be plenty of hi-vis around.

Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said regional Queensland was the biggest focus of the government’s four-year road and transport budget with 2021 kicking off $17.8 billion in investment focussed on communities outside the south-east corner to support 16,180 jobs.

Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh said the Sumners Road interchange project was just one example of how investing in roads and transport was not just busting congestion, but also supporting jobs and businesses in the community through COVID-19.

“It’s local business that has supplied the concrete and girders for this project, which has then been installed by local workers to ultimately benefit local families and industry,” Ms Pugh said.

“From my community to communities right across Queensland – we continue to manage the health impacts of this pandemic, and because of that we’re able to get on with the job of building the roads and transport our state needs.”

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078