A new milestone has been reached for the $400 million Ipswich Motorway Upgrade from Rocklea to Darra Stage 1, with the contract to deliver the project awarded to Brisbane-based Bielby Hull Albem Joint Venture.
“I’m pleased to announce Stage 1 of the Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Rocklea and Darra is one step closer to construction.
“The Ipswich Motorway is currently a major source of frustration for more than 85,000 motorists who use this section of the motorway daily, including up to 12,000 trucks,” said Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
According to the Premier, this project will improve safety and travel times for all motorists going through the Rocklea to Darra section of the motorway as well as support up to 470 direct jobs for local businesses and workers.
Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher stated that this project is delivering on a commitment to upgrade the motorway.
“This major infrastructure project will upgrade the Ipswich Motorway from four to six lanes along a three kilometre stretch between Rocklea and Oxley and delivers on a commitment made by the Federal Government.
“The commercial vehicles and local commuters who travel this road on a daily basis will experience improved travel times and motorway capacity into the industrial heart of Brisbane,” Mr Fletcher said.
This project will include:
- Upgrading the motorway from four to six lanes
- Constructing higher bridges over Oxley Creek and seven new bridges
- A new southern service road connection from Rocklea's industrial precinct to the Oxley commercial and retail areas
- A new northern service road connection over Oxley Creek floodplain
- New traffic signals at the Suscatand Street intersection
According to Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Mark Bailey, the State Government has invested $200 million to deliver the much needed upgrade for South East Queensland. Mr Bailey also said that the winning contractor – the Bielby Hull Albem Joint Venture – will commence the detailed design of the upgrade and will begin works on-site later in 2017.
“Focusing on improving the motorway’s flood immunity, work will include constructing higher bridges over the Oxley Creek area, which will see a more reliable, safer motorway through Oxley and Rocklea, improving productivity and benefiting all South East Queenslanders.
“Importantly, this upgrade will see motorists spending more time at home with their loved ones, not stuck in congestion during their daily commutes,” Mr Bailey said.
Weather permitting, the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade from Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 is expected to be completed by 2020.
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Source: Queensland Government
