The Palaszczuk Government today committed $200 million towards the first stage of upgrading the Ipswich Motorway, between Rocklea and Darra, to bust congestion, improve road freight and support 470 jobs during construction.
“This $200 million announced today is an enormous step in seeing this project move forward, and means relief is in sight for Motorway users who currently face mass congestion in peak times,” says Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk.
“However, in order for this $400 million project to become a reality, we need the Turnbull Government to come to the table and meet our commitment 50:50. They should make that commitment and put their allocation back in to this project tomorrow.
“Throughout Queensland, the Federal Government usually funds major road projects on an 80:20 basis with the State Government – including projects on the Warrego, Toowoomba, the Bruce, the Gateway and Cape York.
“We know upgrading the Ipswich Motorway is crucial to ease congestion for both motorists and road freight, and so we’ve significantly increased our share of the funding to 50 per cent, from $80 million to $200 million.
“Infrastructure Australia recently identified this project as a high priority, and with our funding ready to go, all we need now is for the Turnbull Government to contribute their fair share.”
Photo: TMR QLD Project Newsletter
Minister Bailey said the $400 million project was essential to improve the capacity of the Ipswich Motorway, by upgrading lanes between Granard and Oxley Roads from four to six.
“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,” Mr Bailey said.
“Two additional lanes between Granard and Oxley Roads will not only significantly improve the capacity and reliability of the Motorway, but it will also ease access to the major industrial precinct of Rocklea and the Acacia Ridge Inter-model Transport Centre to the Port of Brisbane and Trade Coast.
“This project will provide improved travel time, reliability and a safer, faster journey for people travelling to and from South East Queensland’s rapidly expanding western suburbs.
“We want to get this project up and running. It’s now up to the Turnbull Government to show they are supporting Queenslanders and the Queensland economy.”
On the heels of the Australia's first ever 15 year Infrastructure Plan, it's great to see state governments acknowledging the high priority projects identified by Infrastructure Australia. To see your own share of road projects, get a free supplier demo with PlantMiner and learn how to optimise your chances of being found by contractors.
Quotes originally appeared in Joint Statement: Premier and Minister for the Arts The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk, Deputy Premier, Minister for Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning and Minister for Trade and Investment The Honourable Jackie Trad and Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy, Biofuels and Water Supply The Honourable Mark Bailey.