Archive, Industry News

Over $500 million facelift for Queensland roads

M1, Walkerston bypass and Mt Lindesay Highway projects on the list

 

Queensland’s M1 motorway is expected to undergo major upgrades, with the federal and state governments agreeing on a road upgrade package of over $500 million.

The decision relates to the following upgrades:

  • 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
  • Widening of the Mt Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Beaudesert
  • Funding for the planning of the M1—Varsity Lakes to Tugun.

Federal transport and infrastructure minister Darren Chester expects the division of costs between the federal and state governments to be decided once the tenders are approved.

“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,” Chester says.

“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.”

Welcoming the federal government’s funding commitment premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says the state can now “get on with the job of upgrading the M1”.

Queensland main roads and road safety minister Mark Bailey says early works on the M1-Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes project will kick off in November with major construction beginning after the Commonwealth Games in April next year.

Construction of the Walkerston bypass is expected to commence following the completion of the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project, Bailey says.

The state government will invest $5 million for planning and business case development of the “next highest priority upgrade on the southern end of motorway” – constructing six lanes of the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun.

The announcement has also been welcomed by urban infrastructure minister Paul Fletcher.

Previous ArticleNext Article
Send this to a friend