The government will invest $4.38 billion on transport projects during the next one year
The Queensland government has promised a $20 billion spending over four years on roads and transport projects in its 2016-17 Budget.
The funding, which is part of the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP), includes a $4.38 billion investment during the 2016-17 financial year.
The Toowoomba Range Crossing project will get the biggest boost ($1.6 billion), while the four-lane realignment of Bruce Highway will receive $384.2 million and the Townsville Ring Road project will see a $200 million investment.
The government has promised $300 million under its Priority Economic Works and Productivity Program for various capacity improving infrastructure projects including, the Ipswich motorway upgrade ($88.4 million) and the M1 and Gateway motorway merge upgrade ($42 million).
Labor has also allocated an additional $90 million over a three-year period under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
“We’re also investing $89 million for road safety programs, road accident injury rehabilitation and safety upgrades, funded through the Camera Detected Offence Program (CDOP),” Roads and ports minister Mark Bailey says.
“We’re providing an additional $96.5 million towards a number of projects in Northern Queensland, including $76.9 million to upgrade the Gregory Developmental Road and Cape River Bridge and $19.6 million to contribute to sealing the Hann Highway.”
Infrastructure minister Jackie Trad says the additional $1.5 billion in the Infrastructure Fund will help deliver “transformational” infrastructure and support key initiatives such as the new Cross River Rail Delivery Authority, which bagged a $50 million investment.
“This significant new investment is about setting aside funding for projects to be identified by our independent infrastructure advisor, Building Queensland,” Trad says.