Two new Queensland transport infrastructure programs, announced as part of the 2024-25 Budget, are targeting enhanced productivity and reduced congestion through an improved road network.
The new programs form part of the record Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program, with a total $37.4 billion in transport investments committed in communities across the state to support jobs and economic growth.
Firstly, a $100 million Productivity Enhancement Program will support the State Government’s $26 billion Energy and Jobs Plan by focusing on improving the road network to support heavy vehicle movements, including Oversize Overmass (OSOM) movements associated with key existing and emerging energy industries.
It will also help support future jobs and prosperity.
Meanwhile, a $100 million Local Congestion Busting Program will target improvements to the Queensland road network to reduce congestion by mitigating traffic delays caused by bottlenecks, particularly at intersections.
The program takes a ‘one network’ approach, with projects to be identified by Transport and Main Roads (TMR) and progressed via discussions with key stakeholders, including local councils.
It will focus on lower cost upgrades at locations experiencing congestion and will help reduce freight costs along key routes.
“Our Budget recognises the importance of improving state and local roads networks to support communities and key industries across Queensland,” said Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish.
“The Local Congestion Fund will target improvements at bottlenecks, reducing the time wasted in traffic and keeping communities moving safely and efficiently, while our Productivity Enhancement Fund will provide the necessary support to industry as our Energy and Jobs Plan powers forward.
“Having spoken to Queenslanders about their transport needs far and wide across the state since late last year, it’s clear that we need to continue to focus on reducing congestion, regional and rural connectivity, on safety, on resilience and on accessibility.”
With the clear goal to reduce congestion and improve productivity, the funds could be delivered via a grant on a 50:50 matching basis or be delivered by TMR.
Projects that achieve the objectives of reducing congestion and increasing productivity will be considered.
TMR said that it will progress identifying projects for delivery under these important programs in the coming months.
In other news, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator’s National Network Map is now available through the Next Generation Route Planner.
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