The first sod has been turned on the $400 million Ipswich Motorway Upgrade – Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 in South East Queensland, signalling the beginning of construction.
This project aims to ease congestion for motorists travelling between Brisbane and Ipswich as well as create safer travel between Granard Road in Rocklea and the Oxley Road roundabout in Oxley.
According to Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher, the Australian Government’s $200 million investment on the project will create jobs as well as improve travel times for motorists and boost productivity for businesses.
“Upgrading this section of the motorway from four to six lanes will improve safety and travel times for over 85,000 motorists, including 12,000 commercial vehicles, who use this stretch of the Ipswich Motorway each and every day
“This is a great example of how the Australian Government’s record $75 billion investment in infrastructure is delivering the roads communities and businesses need to thrive,” Mr Fletcher said.
Queensland Premier and Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk said that this project is a major infrastructure project that will have wide reaching benefits for the State.
“The Ipswich Motorway is an important part of our national freight network, linking surrounding areas to Brisbane and the intermodal freight terminal at Acacia Ridge.
“The predicted industrial, commercial and residential growth in the western corridor means we must ensure the motorway meets the increasing traffic demand,” the Premier said.
Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade is evidence of the Queensland and Australian Governments’ delivery of another vital piece of supply chain infrastructure for Queenslanders.
“We’re committed to creating jobs for Queenslanders – beyond the immediate construction jobs, this project will facilitate employment growth throughout the broader region on Brisbane’s outside.
“Not only will the upgrade provide employment opportunities, it will help ease congestion and improve productivity into the industrial hub of Brisbane,” Mr Bailey said.
As part of the construction phase, the Donaldson Road exit ramp will be closed to enable to construction of the new service road connection over the Oxley Creek floodplain located on the northern side of the motorway.
The Bielby Hull Alben joint venture has been appointed to deliver this project, with construction expected to be completed by late 2020.