A tender to progress business case planning for additional options to upgrade the Warrego Highway – Mount Crosby Road interchange in Queensland has been awarded to GHD Group.
The tender award comes after community feedback last year reinforced the critical need for capacity and safety upgrades to provide for the local transport system well into the future.
The project will upgrade the Mount Crosby Road interchange on the Warrego Highway in order to provide a more efficient, safe and reliable national highway network for regional and interstate freight and general traffic.
The Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) 2021–22 to 2024–25 shows that the Queensland Government has allocated $108.614 million state funding contribution towards the $543.88 million Warrego Highway commitments.
This includes a $4 million commitment by the Australian Government and a $1 million commitment by the Queensland Government to the Warrego Highway – Mount Crosby
Road interchange project. This funding is only for the scoping phase at this stage.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the $5 million Mount Crosby Road interchange business case was a priority.
“The Australian and Queensland governments have committed to jointly fund this business case on an 80:20 basis to address safety and congestion concerns at the interchange,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“We listened to what people had to say about their experiences and concerns, and are now looking at alternative options to deliver a Warrego Highway-Mount Crosby Road upgrade that meets community needs.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said further planning would consider current safety risks and predicted future traffic demands.
“We know Queensland is the place to be and our roads need to be ready to deal with greater levels of traffic,” Mr Bailey said.
“There has been substantial growth in Ipswich and surrounding areas, which will be taken into account during this planning process.
“The revised planning options will consider an alternative crossing over the Warrego Highway and ensure the long-term sustainability of any upgrade.”
Pending the business case outcomes, the Queensland Government will work with the Australian Government to fund the design and build the interchange upgrade.
Local LNP Senator Paul Scarr welcomed the announcement, noting options to improve the existing temporary safety infrastructure would also be investigated.
“The existing closed-circuit television and radar-monitoring equipment near the interchange identify congestion and link to a variable message sign located to the east,” Senator Scarr said.
“This warns motorists of queuing ahead and provides more warning to slow down and drive to the conditions ahead.”
“Additional safety measures may also include temporary variable speed limit signs and supporting infrastructure.
“The variable speed limit signs would display a reduced speed on the Warrego Highway when a queue spills back from the off-ramps at the Mount Crosby Road interchange, supporting drivers travelling from both the east and west approaches.”
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said existing protected road corridors would also be factored in, including the Moggill Pocket Arterial corridor.
“To maximise the value of this planning process, we’ll be identifying all options to set the region up for success.
“Locals will be kept up to date with the outcomes of this planning process and any future construction.”
The scoping phase of this project is expected to be finished by late 2023.
Related stories:
- Planning underway for Warrego Highway upgrade
- Warrego Highway works in QLD under way
- Contract awarded on Warrego Highway upgrade in QLD