$29.7bn QLD transport infrastructure investment to boost jobs creation

Better transport and road infrastructures that will create thousands of jobs will soon be delivered across Queensland as the State Government releases a record investment under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP). 

The recently released $29.7 billion four-year investment plan is anticipated to support 25,200 jobs. 

“Queensland is growing rapidly, with our world leading pandemic response making our state the place to be, but we know we need infrastructure to support this growth and that’s what this budget delivers for Queenslanders. 

“The investment will drive the Palaszczuk Government’s plan for shifting from economic recovery to future growth and prosperity, supporting jobs and delivering critical infrastructure to keep our state moving. 

“This year’s $29.7 billion in road and transport infrastructure investment plan will support 25,200 direct jobs, helping to promote more jobs in more industries, all while delivering better transport options for Queenslanders,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

Minister Bailey added that the budget will include major investment in south-east Queensland roads – such as the M1, Bruce Highway and Coomera Connector projects – that will make provide more lanes, better interchanges as well as improving safety across these roads. 

The budget will also cover a range of planning studies and business cases for future projects, detailing what’s needed next across the region. 

According to Assistant Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing Minister Bruce Saunders, major regional corridors like the Bruce Highway will receive more funding that will help improve capacity, flood immunity and road safety. 

“More than half of this record-breaking investment will directly support regional Queensland, with over $18 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered outside the Brisbane region. 

“The pipeline of investment outlined in this plan will support an average of 16,220 direct jobs across regional Queensland, stepping up our focus on supporting regional growth,” Mr Saunders said. 

Approximately $1.49 billion was committed towards targeted road safety programs that build on road safety improvements delivered as part of major projects and programs while $266.2 million is allocated for active transport infrastructure. 

“This year’s QTRIP really highlights the important work we are delivering across the state, making Queensland the place everyone wants to be,” Minister Bailey said. 

In the coming months, the Queensland Government will work closely with the Australian Government to incorporate new commitments into the infrastructure pipeline – including additional federal funding for the Bruce Highway, Kuranda Range, Boundary Road level crossing (Coopers Plains) and Ipswich Motorway planning. 

Below is the list of QTRIP 2022-23 to 2025026 investment highlights per region. 

South Coast Region 

$5.19 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $2.16 billion Coomera Connector (Stage 1), Coomera to Nerang – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $1.21 billion Gold Coast Light Rail (Stage 3) Broadbeach South to Burleigh Heads – jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments and City of Gold Coast 
• $1 billion Pacific Motorway, Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $1 billion funding commitment for Pacific Motorway Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway capacity upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $750 million Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $120 million Queensland Government funding commitment for three new Gold Coast railway stations at Pimpama, Hope Island and Merrimac 
• $82.1 million Pacific Motorway, Exit 41 interchange upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $75 million Mount Lindesay Highway, Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road construct additional lanes – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Metropolitan Region 

$3.85 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $1 billion Gateway Motorway, Bracken Ridge to Pine Rover funding commitment – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $450 million funding commitment for Brisbane Metro Woolloongabba Station – jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments and Brisbane City Council 
• $244 million Centenary Bridge Upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $209.3 million Beams Road (Carseldine and Fitzgibbon) rail level crossing upgrade – jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Governments and Brisbane City Council 
• $206 million funding for Boundary Road (Coopers Plains) rail level crossing – jointly funded with the Australian Government – Project cost, timing and funding arrangements subject to further planning and negotiations with Brisbane City Council and Australian Government Project (in line with its 2022 Federal Election commitment) 
• $125 million Linkfield Road Overpass upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

North Coast Region 

$3.07 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $1.09 billion Bruce Highway, Pine River to Dohles Rocks Road interchange funding commitment – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $662.5 million Bruce Highway, Caboolture – Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $550.8 million Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Upgrade (Stage 1) – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $320 million Sunshine Motorway, Mooloolah River Interchange Upgrade (Stage 1) – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $301.3 million Bruce Highway, Maroochydore Road and Mons Road interchanges upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $163.3 million Bruce Highway, Deception Bay Road interchange upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $105 million Bruce Highway, Pine River to Caloundra Road Smart Motorways (Stage 2) – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $57 million Strathpine – Samford Road (Eatons Crossing Road and Mount Samson Road) intersection and safety improvements 

Wide Bay Burnett District 

$1.56 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $1 billion Bruce Highway, Cooroy to Curra Section D – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $336 million Bruce Highway, Tiaro Bypass – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $103 million Bruce Highway, Saltwater Creek and Deadmans Gully flood immunity upgrades – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $44.7 million Bruce Highway (Gympie – Benaraby) various locations, upgrade culverts – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $41.8 million Isis Highway (Bundaberg – Childers), various locations, safety improvements 
• $30 million Torbanlea – Pialba Road, various locations, upgrade intersections and floodways – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $28.9 million Pialba – Burrum Heads Road, O’Regan Creek, upgrade existing floodway 
• $25 million Mundubbera – Durong Road, John Peterson Bridge (Boyne River) replacement – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Darling Downs District 

• $785.5 million investment over four years, including key investments such as: 
• $45.5 million Gore Highway (Toowoomba – Goondiwindi) upgrades at various locations – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $45.2 million Gore Highway (Millmerran – Goondiwindi), Wyaga Creek floodway upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $25 million Cunningham Highway, Eight Mile intersection upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $19.5 million New England Highway (Warwick – Wallangarra) safety improvements 
• $17 million Gore Highway (Pittsworth – Millmerran) pavement rehabilitation, various locations – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $11.5 million New England Highway (Toowoomba – Warwick) high risk roads safety improvements 
• $6.8 million Barwon Highway (Talwood – Nindigully), Weengallon pavement widening – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $6.3 million Emu Swamp Dam, construct supporting road infrastructure – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

South West District 

$302.8 million investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $6.8 million Quilpie – Adavale Road, various locations, upgrade seal and floodways – jointly funded with Quilpie Shire Council 
• $5 million Carnarvon Highway (Injune – Rolleston), Dawson River bridge widening 
• $4.5 million Bulloo Developmental Road (Cunnamulla – Thargomindah) widening and sealing – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $3.8 million Balonne Highway (St George – Bollon), rehabilitate pavement 
• $3.8 million Quilpie – Thargomindah Road (Thargomindah), seal various locations – jointly funded with the Bulloo Shire Council 
• $2.4 million Balonne Highway (St George – Bollon), construct heavy vehicle breakdown facility – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $2 million Diamantina Developmental Road (Quilpie – Windorah), widen and seal – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $1.6 million Carnarvon Highway (Mungindi – St George), widen and seal various locations – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Fitzroy District 

$1.52 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $125 million Access to Gladstone Port upgrade – jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments 
• $80 million Rockhampton – Yeppoon Road upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $75 million Capricorn Highway (Emerald – Alpha) (Package 1), strengthen and widen pavement – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $70 million Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek safety improvements – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $40 million Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence) and Bolsover Street intersection upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $35 million Gavial – Gracemere Road (Lawrie Street) upgrade 
• $24 million Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Charnwood Road to Palm Creek safety improvements – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Central West District 

$425.9 million investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $182.5 million funding for Outback Way future priorities – jointly funded with the Australian Government. Project details and timing subject to negotiation with the Australian Government 
• $45 million Capricorn Highway (Emerald – Alpha) (Package 2), strengthen and widen pavement – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $9.7 million Capricorn Highway (Emerald – Alpha), widen pavement, various locations 
• $5.1 million Barcaldine – Aramac Road, various locations, widen and rehabilitate – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $4.1 million Kennedy Developmental Road (Hughenden – Winton), rehabilitate and widen pavement 

Mackay Whitsunday District 

$1.01 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $497.4 million Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1), including works between the intersection of the Mackay Ring Road and Bald Hill Road – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $350 million Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay – Slade Point Road, construct new two lane road – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $186.6 million Walkerston Bypass – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $144.6 million Mackay Northern Access upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $44.1 million Bruce Highway (Proserpine – Bowen), Ten Mile Creek to Yeates Creek safety improvements – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $35 million Peak Downs Highway (Clermont – Nebo), Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge Mine widening and strengthening pavement – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $23 million Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Jumper Creek flood immunity upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Northern District 

$1.06 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5) – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $99.8 million Bruce Highway, Townsville Northern Access Intersections Upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government (note: this funding does not include $7.88 million of interim early works that were completed in 2018-19) 
• $96.9 million Bruce Highway, Burdekin River Bridge rehabilitation program – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $95 million Garbutt – Upper Ross Road (Riverway Drive) Stage 2, Allambie Lane to Dunlop Street duplication – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $48 million Bruce Highway, Burdekin Deviation, plan and preserve corridor – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $48 million Bruce Highway, Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, plan and preserve corridor – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $46.4 million Townsville Connection Road (Idalia), University Road to Bowen Road Bridge (Stuart Drive) safety improvements 
• $40 million Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Gairloch safety improvements – funded by the Australian Government 

North West District 

$489.9 million investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $50 million Kennedy Developmental Road (The Lynd – Hughenden), progressive sealing – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $42.7 million Flinders Highway (Julia Creek – Cloncurry), Scrubby Creek strengthen pavement and widen floodway – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $33.8 million Flinders Highway (Hughenden – Richmond), upgrades at various locations – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $30 million Flinders Highway (Richmond – Julia Creek), Alick Creek, upgrade floodway and install culverts – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $25.5 million Landsborough Highway (Kynuna – Cloncurry), McKinlay River upgrades – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $22.5 million FLinders Highway (Richmond – Julia Creek), upgrades at various locations – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $13 million Richmond – Winton Road, various locations, pavement strengthening and widening – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $11.2 million Burke Developmental Road (Cloncurry – Normanton), various locations, widen pavement 

Far North District 

$1.59 billion investment over four years, including key investments such as: 

• $481 million Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $359 million Cairns Ring Road (Cairns CBD to Smithfield) – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $300 million Cairns Western Arterial Road, Redlynch Connector Road to Captain Cook Highway duplication – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $237.5 million Cape York Region Package Stage 2, including $44.9 million Peninsula Developmental Road, Archer River Crossing construct bridge – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $225 million Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road, upgrade intersection – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $85.6 million funding for Cape York Region Package, Cooktown to Weipa Corridor upgrade, future priorities – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $35 million Kennedy Highway (Cairns – Mareeba), Kuranda Range, Intelligent Transport System – jointly funded with the Australian Government 

Statewide 

Includes funding commitments that cross regional/district boundaries that will be prioritised and allocated specific areas over time. Also includes investments that cross regional/district boundaries and investments delivered on a statewide basis. 

• $2.59 billion Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail (Kuraby to Beenleigh) upgrade – jointly funded with the Australian Government 
• $1 billion funding commitment towards upgrades of the Inland Freight Rout (Charters Towers to Mungindi) – jointly funded with the Australian Government. Project details and timing subject to negotiation with the Australian Government 
• $600 million Queensland Train Manufacturing Program which forms part of the $7.1 billion to boost Queensland’s train manufacturing industry and build and operate 65 trains 
• $544.5 million for the Warrego Highway – jointly funded with the Australian Government. Project details and timing subject to further planning and negotiation with the Australian Government. The Queensland Government’s initial priority is upgrading the Mount Crosby Road interchange 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Roads Australia; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads