Queensland to make further investments in road infrastructure projects

TINNews |

The Government of Queensland in Australia is planning to continue its investments in road infrastructure projects to further enhance the safety of motorists in the state with an efficient transport system, as well as create new employment opportunities.

According to the government, it has made an investment of nearly A$7bn ($5.2bn) over the last two budgets on road and transport infrastructure.

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said: “That's more than 3,000 road kilometres newly sealed and 250km of road pavement constructed or rehabilitated.

“Our record A$20bn ($14.9bn) four-year Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Programme (QTRIP) is supporting 15,900 jobs over the life of the programme."

Bailey added that recently the Queensland Government has taken initiatives for the A$929m ($693m) Bruce Highway Caloundra to Sunshine Motorway project, as well as upgrading Ipswich Motorway from Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 for nearly A$400m ($298m).

The government has also committed around A$40m ($29.8m) for the Western Roads Upgrade Programme (WRUP) in order to extend its support for the economic development, as well as job security in western Queensland.

"That's more than 3,000 road kilometres newly sealed and 250km of road pavement constructed or rehabilitated."

Some of the major road projects taken up by Queensland over the last two budgets include the A$1.6bn ($1.1bn) Toowoomba second range crossing, and investing A$1.14bn ($851m) to widen Gateway Upgrade North to six lanes.

For widening Cooroy to Curra Section C realignment of the Bruce Highway, the government allocated A$384m ($286.9m), and Townsville Ring Road Stage 4 works were carried out with A$200m ($149m).

Stage 1 of duplication of the Warrego Highway from two to four lanes between Toowoomba and Oakey were completed using A$110m ($82.1m).

The government also provided A$74.7m ($55.8m) for the Pacific Motorway Exit 54 upgrade at Coomera, and a package of A$42.3m ($31.5m) was given for pavement widening on the Gregory Developmental Road between Charters Towers and The Lynd.

Queensland minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey added that the Newman-Nicholls Government slashed roads funding by A$600m ($448m), which also includes a 37% cut to the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) that provides the necessary funds to local governments for development of transport-related infrastructure.

The state government intends to invest more on roads projects in its upcoming budgets and focus on creating new employment opportunities.