Half a billion dollar roads package announced for Queensland
27 March 2017
Queensland Government: The Australian and Queensland
governments have today announced a roads package worth more than half a
billion dollars for Queensland.
The Package 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
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Widening of the Mt Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Beaudesert
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Funding for the planning of the M1 - Varsity Lakes to Tugun
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said
the
Queensland Government was pleased to have reached this outcome
following constructive discussions with the
Australian Government.
“Today we’ve announced more than half a billion dollars in funding for
major
road infrastructure projects in South East Queensland and Central
Queensland which is great for Queensland jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
“We have reached an agreement and can now get on with the job of
upgrading the M1. We’ve also committed to construction of the Walkerston
Bypass, this will deliver benefits for the region and more jobs for
Central Queensland.
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.
“Construction for the $150 million Walkerston Bypass will begin
following completion of the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project, extending
the pipeline of local jobs in the Mackay region.
“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.”
Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said today’s
announcement was a significant result for motorists in South East
Queensland.
“Queenslanders want to see the roads they need get built as quickly as
possible and are not interested in arcane disagreements between state
and federal governments,” Mr Fletcher said.
“I am pleased that our two governments have been able to work
constructively to agree our respective funding commitments – so we can
get on with delivering these vitally needed upgrades.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Amy Hunter- Minister Bailey's Office 0423 651 484
External Links: N/A
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