Premier Steven Miles and Transport Minister Bart Mellish have today joined the Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh to release options being considered for the future of the Centenary Motorway, as part of master planning for the region.
The options under development consider a range of congestion busting solutions between Darra and Toowong to ensure a longer-term planning approach to improve this vital road network.
This could include upgrades to the existing motorway or tunnel options.
The Government's investment arm, QIC, will work with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to build on the learnings gathered from another key congestion-busting project, the Gympie Road Bypass tunnel.
QIC will consider and provide advice on the economic merits of further investment including surface improvements and tunnel connections in western Brisbane.
The Centenary Motorway between Darra and Toowong services large numbers of both shorter and longer-distance trips, on average carrying more than 90,000 vehicles per day in some sections. Over the next two decades this is forecast to continue to rise rapidly.
The existing highway will be unable to accommodate these increased levels of vehicles.
The master plan will identify the most effective staging approach to deliver the motorway upgrade in the medium to long term between the Ipswich Motorway in Darra and Milton Road in Toowong. It will also examine connectivity to and from Legacy Way.
Similar to what is being planned along Gympie Road, tunnel options for the Centenary Motorway could provide opportunities for public transport, cycling and walking improvements along this corridor.
Construction of the $298.5 million Centenary Bridge Upgrade across the Brisbane River is well underway, delivering a second critical crossing over the river.
Its completion will increase motorway capacity and improve safety for users of the Centenary Motorway at Jindalee.
The Miles Labor Government's $10 million investment in planning for the area is part of the record $37.4 billion road and transport program, which is supporting 28,000 good Queensland jobs.
Future investment will include a focus on enhancing the Brisbane ring road network to reduce congestion and deliver more options for people travelling through and around the greater Brisbane area.
As stated by Premier Steven Miles:
"I know how important quality local roads networks are to supporting our growing region.
"As more people move to Brisbane, we are seeing congestion on arterials, like the Centenary Motorway, grow quicker than we can build new connections.
"That's why today, I have released options under consideration for new connections between Darra and Toowong.
"It builds on my government's strong track record of delivering for the region, including a brand-new bridge on the Centenary Motorway.
"This level of investment doesn't just happen overnight – it follows strong local advocacy from local MPs Jess Pugh and Margie Nightingale, and their constituents."
As stated by Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh:
"So many locals rely on the Centenary Motorway to get around, and I'm committed to doing what I can to keep our community moving.
"With the Centenary Bridge Upgrade well underway, we can now we can look to future-proofing the rest of the road corridor. By exploring options like a tunnel, we will be able to provide more reliable transport options for our community.
"Locals know that only the Miles Government will deliver the infrastructure upgrades Mount Ommaney residents and business.
"I will continue to work hard to deliver for the community and I am really proud to have secured this exciting tunnel feasibility study to help bust congestion on the Centenary Motorway."
As stated by Member for Inala Margie Nightingale:
"The Centenary Motorway cuts right through Inala making it an integral link to get around our community.
"From Toowong to Springfield, the Centenary Motorway services a large number of trips, so I am thrilled to see planning will be underway for new congestion busting measures.
"I am proud to be part of the Miles Government, which will delivers important infrastructure upgrades for Southsiders."
As stated by the Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:
"Through QTRIP we are continuing to invest significantly in improving the road network for Queensland motorists.
"As SEQ continues to grow we also need to plan for the longer term and think strategically about how we invest to get the best network outcomes for Queenslanders.
"QIC will work closely with my Department to use the learnings gained so far from the Gympie Road Bypass project to inform the development of the master plan and support a longer term strategic planning approach.
"This is a critical piece of the SEQ motorway networkand we need to ensure we maximise the longer-term benefits."
