QLD Budget: Nearly $19 billion for transport infrastructure

More than $18.8 billion will be invested in Queensland’s overall transport infrastructure in the next four years under Queensland Transport and Road Investment Program (QTRIP) – the state’s program of planned works.

QTRIP outlines planned spending on roads, rail, marine, public transport and active transport infrastructure and will sustain almost 15,000 jobs over the same period, at a time when jobs and job security are more important than ever.

Deputy Premier and Minister for Transport Jackie Trad said the 2015-16 State Budget outlined a plan to improve transport infrastructure and invest in Queensland’s future.

“The Palaszczuk Government is investing in our state’s roads and public transport network to reduce congestion and improve safety, services and infrastructure for all Queenslanders,” Ms. Trad said.

Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said investment in the roads, road safety and maritime component of QTRIP totalled $14.9 billion.

“In a vast state like Queensland, motorists rely on a safe and reliable road network, particularly in regional areas where roads are the lifeblood of many communities,” he said.

“We have significantly increased the 50:50 state/local government Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme funding by $60 million over two years, and brought it forward by a year to provide much needed support for local infrastructure and jobs.”

Road project highlights for the 2015-16 State Budget delivered under QTRIP include:

•  $175.9 million in joint funding to widen the Gateway Motorway North to six lanes all the way between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge for a total cost of $1.2 billion
•  $172.1 million in joint funding towards the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing – a bypass route to the north of the city from the Warrego Highway at Helidon to the Gore Highway for a total cost of $1.6 billion
•  $113.1 million in joint funding towards the duplication of the Bruce Highway from Cooroy to Curra from Cooroy Southern Interchange to Sankey’s Road (Section A) for a total cost of $490 million
•  $33.4 million in joint funding to continue building a new elevated crossing on the Bruce Highway across the Yeppen Floodplain, south of Rockhampton, for a total cost of $170 million
•  $40 million in State funds over two years to deliver the Western Roads Upgrade Program, comprising 14 regional priority road projects across western Queensland
•  $12.9 million in joint funding towards the replacement of timber bridges on the Peak

Downs Highway, between Nebo and Mackay for a total cost of around $70 million

Further significant programs to be delivered under QTRIP include:

•  $635 million in joint funding over five years to upgrade of the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Miles
•  more than $500 million in joint funding over two years for targeted road safety projects across Queensland
•  $260.5 million in joint funding over five years for the Cape York Region Package, to upgrade key roads and other infrastructure to better connect communities in the Cape
•  $160.7 million in State funding over three years for the Gold Coast package of road works, in the lead up to the Commonwealth Games

Other key Budget features include:

•  $12 million to install flashing lights at an extra 300 Queensland school zones over the next three years and for ongoing maintenance
•  $3 million to spruce up scenic lookouts on the state’s road network.