Major road & transport projects worth billions to get underway in QLD

Billions of dollars’ worth of major road and transport projects across Queensland are set to start construction or are due to be completed in 2021, creating thousands of jobs and driving the State Government's plan for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic. 

These major projects include the second M1, the Bruce Highway upgrade between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast, and the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5. Approximately 23,600 jobs are set to be supported by these projects over a four-year period. 

In addition, an additional 87 recently announced road safety projects are anticipated to begin works within the next six months along with a $5 billion jointly-funded stimulus package from the Australian and Queensland Governments. 

“2021 is the year of construction and jobs in Queensland thanks to a 56 billion, four-year infrastructure guarantee by this government as part of our economic recovery plan. 

“Queenslanders last year backed our plan for economic recovery – and we're backing them with the start of a record four-year, $26.9 billion roads and transport budget that will create 23,600 jobs. 

“From sealing our western roads and investing in our regional ports to getting started on the second M1 and building on our 33 Bruce Highway upgrades underway right now – there will be plenty of hi-vis around,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

According to Minister Bailey, regional Queensland is going to be the main focus of the four-year road and transport budget. This year, about $17.8 billion will be spent on communities outside the south-east corner of the state to support up to 16,180 jobs. 

“That means starting projects like the Walkerston Bypass near Mackay, Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 and Bruce Highway bridge upgrade near Maryborough, and getting on with the job of our real $12.6 billion Bruce Highway plan and half-a-billion investment to bolster the North West supply chain. 

“Jobs will flow from projects wrapping up this year including the $514.3 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville to a pipeline of projects that'll connect our communities and provide families with income as we continue to navigate COVID-19,” Minister Bailey said. 

The pipeline of roads and transport projects across the State will not only help bust congestion, but it will also support thousands of jobs as well as local businesses through the pandemic. 

“We've seen local business supply the resources, equipment and skills for these projects, which has then been installed by local workers to ultimately benefit local families and industry. 

“With the first roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine program in Queensland this week, we continue to manage the health impacts of this pandemic, and because of that we're able to get on with the job of building the roads and transport our state needs,” Minister Bailey said. 

Major projects expected to begin construction in 2021 include: 

• $1.5 billion Coomera Connector (also known as the Second M1) 
• $709 million Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 
• $662 million Bruce Highway – Caboolture to Sunshine Coast upgrade 
• $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 
• $196 million M1 – Exit 41 upgrade 
• $178 million Beams Road Level Crossing removal 
• $150 million Walkerston Bypass 
• $107 million Bruce Highway – Townsville Northern Access Intersection upgrade 
• $103 million Bruce Highway – Saltwater Creek Bridge upgrade 
• $75 million Mount Lindesay Highway – Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road 
• $35 million Lawrie Street upgrade 
• $35 million Peak Downs Highway – Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge upgrade 
• $30 million Strathpine Road Diverging Diamond Interchange 
• $30 million Petrie Roundabout upgrade 
• $25 million Cunningham Highway – Eight Mile Intersection upgrade 
• 87 road safety projects worth close to $300 million 

Major projects continuing works in 2021 include: 

• $5.4 billion Cross River Rail 
• $1 billion Gympie Bypass 
• $1 billion M1 – Varsity Lakes to Tugun upgrade 
• $749 million M1 – Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill upgrade 
• $480 million Bruce Highway – Edmonton to Gordonvale upgrade 
• $360 million Mount Isa Line upgrades 
• $371 million Smart Ticketing project 
• $335 million Bruce Highway – Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges upgrades 
• $237.5 million Cape York Regional Package Stage 2 
• $193 million Port of Townsville Channel upgrade 
• $163 million Bruce Highway – Deception Bay Interchange upgrade 
• $120 million Bruce Highway – Mackay Northern Access Upgrade 
• $110 million Cleveland – Redland Bay Road upgrade 
• $50 million Bruce Highway – Mackay to Proserpine upgrade 
• $44.5 million Springfield Central park ‘n’ ride upgrade 
• $42.5 million Isis Highway upgrade 

Major projects concluding this year include: 

• $932 million Bruce Highway – Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway upgrade 
• $514.3 million Bruce Highway – Haughton River Floodplain upgrade 
• $400 million Ipswich Motorway – Rocklea to Darra upgrade 
• $194 million Bruce Highway – Rockhampton Northern Access upgrade 
• $164 million Smithfield Bypass 
• $123.7 million Bruce Highway – Kate Street to Aumuller Street upgrade 
• $80 million Sumners Road Interchange upgrade 
• $75 million Capricorn Highway duplication 
• $28.75 million Bowen Developmental Road – Rockingham Creek to Mount Coolon sealing 
• $20 million Philip Street duplication 
• $19 million Gatton Decoupling Facility 
• $18 million Peak Downs Highway – Eton to Mackay safety upgrade 
• $16.6 million Bruce Highway – Tinana overtaking lanes 
• $16 million Harley Street intersection upgrade 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Trailer Magazine