The Queensland Government announced it will invest $3.3 billion over the next financial year to build a stronger road network that will help to reduce travel times and ease congestion across the state.
Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said that creating a safer and more efficient road network is a key priority for the Queensland Government and that this investment would also provide jobs for Queenslanders.
This budget will see the completion of the $315 million Ted Smout Memorial Bridge Project in Redcliffe and the $148 million Forgan Bridge Project in Mackay. It will also see the completion of the Gateway Upgrade Project, part of the Government’s $2.5 billion investment into the Gateway corridor.
Other major projects include:
- $550 million for the completion of the federally funded Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Dinmore to Goodna;
- $228 million for an upgrade to the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra. Together with the Australian Government, this is expected to reach a total estimated cost of $613 million;
- $117 million to continue Stage 1 of the Centenary Highway duplication;
- $56 million in joint State and Federal funding to widen the Pacific Motorway;
- $48.5 million to continue widening the Douglas Arterial on the Bruce Highway to four lanes. This will be jointly funded by the Federal Government;
- $37.6 million for the completion of the duplication of the Forgan Bridge in Mackay;
- 29.5 million for the Calliope Range deviation on the Dawson Highway; and
- $20 million to continue the federally funded upgrade of the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Innisfail on the Cardwell Range.
In addition to these road upgrades, the Queensland Government will continue to annually invest $66 million in the Safer Roads Sooner program in a bid to make roads safer and reduce accidents.
