Section of Ipswich Motorway upgrade opens early, unleashing greater freight movement in the region
April 19, 2010
An upgraded section of Queensland’s Ipswich Motorway has opened ahead of schedule in a boon for the road freight sector.
The Wacol to Darra section of the $824 million motorway project was completed nine months early.
Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese says the upgrade will support greater movement of freight around Ipswich and the surrounding areas.
“The work of the past two years has widened this section of motorway from four to six lanes – with capacity for a further two – and constructed a new multi-level, free-flowing interchange between it and the Centenary Highway,” Albanese says.
Once the upgrade is completed in 2012, Albanese says the more than 80,000 motorists using the road every day will benefit from quicker commute times and safer driving conditions.
The opening of the route comes as tenders are called for an intersection upgrade in a northern Queensland region south of Mackay.
The upgrade is part of a $50 million investment in the Bruce Highway.
Albanese says the intersection, connecting the Bruce with the Peak Downs Highway, needs to be upgraded due to rising congestion levels.
Traffic lanes will be widened and new lights installed.