Roads, transport to steer 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.

Projects like the $1.5 billion second M1, $662 million Bruce Highway upgrade between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast and $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 will see shovels in the ground over the next 12 months, sparking a four-year pipeline of 23,600 jobs.

They’ll be joined by 87 recently announced road safety projects all expected to start within the next six months plus $5 billion in jointly-funded stimulus between the Palaszczuk and Australian governments.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said Queenslanders would also witness a number of projects completed in 2021 while works ramp up on other projects like the $5.4 billion Cross River Rail, $1 billion M1 upgrade on the Gold Coast and $480 million Bruce upgrade south of Cairns.

“2021 is the year of construction and jobs in Queensland thanks to a $56 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 in 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.

Mr Bailey 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.

“That means starting projects like the Walkerston Bypass near Mackay, Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 and Bruce Highway bridge upgrade near Maryborough, and getting on with the job of our real $12.6 billion Bruce Highway plan and half-a-billion investment to bolster the North West supply chain.

“Jobs will flow from projects wrapping up this year including the $514.3 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville to a pipeline of projects that’ll connect our communities and provide families with incomes as we continue to navigate COVID-19.”

Minister Bailey said investing in roads and transport was not just busting congestion, but also supporting jobs and businesses in the community through COVID-19.

“We've seen local business supply the resources, equipment and skills for these projects, which has then been installed by local workers to ultimately benefit local families and industry.

“With the first roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine program in Queensland this week, 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.”

Major projects set to start major construction in 2021 include:

• $1.5 billion Coomera Connector (also known as the Second M1)
• $709 million Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3
• $662 million Bruce Highway – Caboolture to Sunshine Coast upgrade
• $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5
• $196 million M1 – Exit 41 upgrade
• $178 million Beams Road Level Crossing removal
• $150 million Walkerston Bypass
• $107 million Bruce Highway – Townsville Northern Access Intersections upgrade
• $103 million Bruce Highway – Saltwater Creek Bridge upgrade
• $75 million Mount Lindesay Highway – Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road
• $35 million Lawrie Street upgrade
• $35 million Peak Downs Highway – Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge upgrade
• $30 million Strathpine Road Diverging Diamond Interchange
• $30 million Petrie Roundabout upgrade
• $25 million Cunningham Highway – Eight Mile Intersection upgrade
• 87 road safety projects worth close to $300 million

Major projects continuing construction in 2021 include:

• $5.4 billion Cross River Rail
• $1 billion Gympie Bypass
• $1 billion M1 – Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade
• $749 million M1 – Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade
• $480 million Bruce Highway – Edmonton to Gordonvale upgrade
• $360 million Mount Isa Line upgrades
• $371 million Smart Ticketing project
• $335 million Bruce Highway – Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges upgrades
• $237.5 million Cape York Regional Package Stage 2
• $193 million Port of Townsville Channel upgrade
• $163 million Bruce Highway – Deception Bay Interchange upgrade
• $120 million Bruce Highway - Mackay Northern Access Upgrade
• $110 million Cleveland-Redland Bay Road upgrade
• $50 million Bruce Highway – Mackay to Proserpine upgrade
• $44.5 million Springfield Central park ‘n’ ride upgrade
• $42.5 million Isis Highway upgrade

Major projects finishing in 2021 include:

• $932 million Bruce Highway – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway upgrade
• $514.3 million Bruce Highway – Haughton River Floodplain upgrade
• $400 million Ipswich Motorway – Rocklea to Darra upgrade
• $194 million Bruce Highway – Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade
• $164 million Smithfield Bypass
• $123.7 million Bruce Highway – Kate Street to Aumuller Street upgrade
• $80 million Sumners Road Interchange upgrade
• $75 million Capricorn Highway duplication
• $28.75 million Bowen Developmental Road – Rockingham Creek to Mount Coolon sealing
• $20 million Philip Street duplication
• $19 million Gatton Decoupling Facility
• $18 million Peak Downs Highway – Eton to Mackay safety upgrade
• $16.6 million Bruce Highway – Tinana overtaking lanes
• $16 million Harley Street Intersection upgrade

ENDS

Media contact: Francis Dela Cruz - 0420 592 078