$86m Youngs Crossing upgrade in City of Moreton Bay gets underway

Major works to upgrade the Youngs Crossing in the City of Moreton Bay in Queensland will commence this month, with crews and equipment arriving on site. 

This project will build a new four-lane bridge west of the existing Youngs Crossing bridge alongside three new signalised intersections and improved pedestrian and active transport connections. 

The $86 million project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments. 

“Each and every flood event at this crossing impacts both residents and businesses – sometimes for days on end. 

“With Moreton Bay experiencing rapid growth, this project will deliver much-needed flood immunity and cater for increasing volumes of traffic on this stretch of road. 

“The Australian Government is working in partnership with the Queensland Government and the City of Moreton Bay to deliver this crucial upgrade,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

“I know just how much sudden road closures due to rain impact our community. 

“This significant road update will help people in Dickson get home faster, so they can spend more time with their families and less time on the road. This project will be felt for generations to come. 

“In 2024 the Albanese Government announced it would commit an additional $18.9 million towards the projects, bringing our total to $51.6 million and demonstrating our support for this critical project,” Federal Member for Dickson Ali France said. 

Project map (source: City of Moreton Bay)

For generations, heavy rains and water flowing into the North Pine River and Sideline Creek have led to the closure of Youngs Crossing Road, causing delays as well as congestion on surrounding roads. 

The Youngs Crossing Road is used by more than 20,000 vehicles each day. This road has been closed to traffic for about 12 days a year since 2021, and it has been closed for a total of 14 days this year. 

Seymour Whyte will be undertaking the delivery of this project. Weather permitting, construction is expected to be completed in mid-2027. 

Key features and benefits of the project include: 

• Protheroe Road signalised intersection to increase safety and assist traffic flow 

• Access to Youngs Crossing Park will be maintained via a four-way signalised intersection 

• U-turn capability to assist Pony Club access via Youngs Crossing Road 

• Lookout platform 

• Existing Youngs Crossing will remain open to pedestrians and cyclists and link to Merv Ewart Reserve via new path under the bridge 

• Fauna refuge poles, rope canopy connections and fauna rails to assist fauna movement 

• Retention of two large fig trees at the water hole 

• Koala exclusion fencing to restrict road access 

• Piers and piles designed to minimise hydraulic impact to Sideling Creek, Pine Rivers Pony Club and Dayboro Road 

• New Pine Rivers Pony Club entry 

• Improved culvert crossing at Sideline Creek to enhance water and fish movement 

• With the new bridge running west of the existing roadway, construction work can largely occur offline in stages, minimising disruptions, alterations and temporary works 

• Extensive landscaping and tree planting along new alignment 

• Upgrade to Dayboro Road intersection to improve safety and traffic flow 

“We’re committed to delivering the vital transport infrastructure communities across our state need to ensure safety, reliability, and connectivity. 

“Part of the upgrade includes improvements to the Dayboro Road intersection, which includes boosting its turning capacities and the inclusion of additional lanes, new cyclist and pedestrian facilities and safety improvements,” QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said. 

“It is an historic day, with the countdown to the 2027 opening of the new four-lane bridge and road officially underway. This is what happens when all levels of Government work together for their communities. 

“The site will become a hive of activity over the coming weeks as crews from our principal contractor, Seymour Whyte Constructions, work towards delivering this important flood-immune river crossing for City of Moreton Bay and its communities. 

“This highly anticipated upgrade is one of the most extensive road infrastructure projects to be delivered by Council, with other improvements including new pedestrian, cycling and safety features. 

“I’m pleased that our Council has been able to pull this project out of the ‘too hard basket’ where it has been stuck for decades,” City of Moreton Bay Mayor Peter Flannery said. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; City of Moreton Bay (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine