Work is underway on Transurban Queensland’s $512 million Logan Enhancement Project with the official turning of the sod on 6 June.
Queensland Treasurer Curtis Pitt said he was pleased to see this market-led proposal reaching the early stages of construction.
“There will be economic benefits of around $1 billion over 30 years which will flow through to the wider south east Queensland community from this project,” he said.
This major construction will support 1300 jobs and take about two years to complete.
Transurban Queensland will finance the construction of the project, and will be predominantly funded from increased tolls for heavy commercial vehicles on the network.
Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said the project would deliver significant upgrades to the Logan and Gateway Extension motorways, improving safety and travel times.
“When complete, motorists will benefit from a more reliable road network with fewer stop-start traffic conditions, resulting in quicker journey times and lower fuel consumption,” Mr Bailey said.
The new interchange designs are set to reduce the amount of congestion that motorists currently experience and improve road safety for this busy intersection of motorways.
Member for Stretton, Duncan Pegg, said it would also increase active lifestyle opportunities in the local area thanks to shared cycle and pedestrian paths, and dedicated bicycle lanes.
“An on-road cycle lane and an off-road footpath will be constructed on each side of Compton Road. There will be dedicated bicycle lanes through the intersections with traffic signals that will be upgraded and a distinctive bridge allowing pedestrians and cyclists to travel over the new eastbound service road linking to the Gateway Extension Motorway,” Mr Pegg said.
Early work on the project has included cultural heritage and geotechnical investigations, and pre-construction property inspections.
“Minimising the impacts of construction on our neighbours and road users is a top priority for Transurban Queensland,” said Transurban Queensland Group General Manager, Wesley Ballantine.
“Where possible works will be limited to daytime hours off the motorway, but for the safety of road users, some works will need to be undertaken at night with single lane closures throughout various parts of the project area.”
The Queensland Government approved the Logan Enhancement Project to proceed to detailed design and construction in late 2016. The project includes upgrading parts of the Logan and Gateway Extension motorways, improving key congestion hot spots (Mt Lindesay Highway/Beaudesert Road interchange and the Wembley Road/Logan Motorway interchange) and constructing new south-facing ramps at Compton Road.
Motorists and interested community members are encouraged to keep up-to-date on the progression of the project via loganenhancementproject.com.au.