The Australian and Queensland governments this week announced more than half a billion dollars in funding for major road infrastructure projects for Queensland.
The roads package, for signficiant projects in South East and Central Queensland, includes:
– Six-laning of the Pacific Motorway (M1)—Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes
– A major upgrade of the M1/Gateway Motorway merge (southbound lanes) at Eight Mile Plains
– Construction of the Walkerston bypass near Mackay
– Widening of the Mt Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Beaudesert
– Funding for the planning of the M1—Varsity Lakes to Tugun
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said he was delighted that agreement had been reached on these five important projects.
“Although final project costs for the M1 will not be known until the end of April, we have reached an agreement that the Australian Government will keep our money on the table with the State picking up the balance,” Mr. Chester said.
“The tender processes are expected to bring the cost down, so the final splits will not be known until then. The important thing is we have broken the impasse and will work together to deliver these important projects.”
Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said early works on the M1 Gateway Merge project are expected to commence in November 2017 with major construction to begin following the Commonwealth Games.
“The M1—Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project is anticipated to commence early works mid-2017 with major construction also to follow the Commonwealth Games,” Mr. Bailey said.
The $150 million Walkerston Bypass will head into construction following completion of the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1.
“The Queensland Government is also investing $5 million to progress the planning and business case development for the six-laning of the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun—the next highest priority upgrade on the southern end of motorway.”