Ipswich Motorway upgrade enters next phase

The Queensland Government is calling for expressions of interest for Stage 1 of the Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Rocklea and Darra.

The upgrade includes upgrading the motorway from four to six lanes, seven new bridges and major culverts, a new southern service road connection between Rocklea and Oxley and new traffic signals at the Suscatand Street intersection.

The project is aimed at alleviating congestion and safety issues on the motorway in Queensland’s South East, which caters to more than 85,000 motorists, including 12,000 trucks, daily.

Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Bailey said in a statement that Stage 1 of the project had drawn strong interest from the construction industry.

“Industry has a keen eye on the project which ensures there will be healthy competition between proponents,” he said.

“We’re asking for innovation and capability from industry to make certain we get a solution that serves road users and delivers value for money.

The contract to design and construct Stage 1 of the project will be awarded in early 2017.

“In the meantime, we are well underway with preconstruction and have identified early works activities which can start before awarding the major construction contract for the project,” said Mr. Bailey.

“Some early works include the safety improvement works on the motorway’s eastbound off-ramp to the roundabout at Oxley and Blunder roads starting in June.

The works at this location will improve the safety of the off-ramp and roundabout by reducing queuing from the ramp extending back to the motorway through lanes.

Expressions of interest will close on June 17, 2016.

Major construction is scheduled to start in 2017, weather permitting.