Motorists are now travelling on a new northbound bridge over Norris Creek on Mount Lindesay Highway in a significant milestone for the road’s upgrade.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the jointly funded $75 million Stoney Camp to Chambers Flat roads upgrade is widening the highway to four lanes, bringing safety and environmental improvements for all road users.
“The new bridge a crucial part of the upgrade, with more than 40 girders, each weighing 22 tonnes, craned in to form the bridge structure,” Minister Fletcher said.
“The new bridge provides one-in-100-year flood immunity, keeping communities connected during wet-weather events.
“Motorists are getting their first taste of the Mount Lindesay Highway upgrade benefits and work will now move on to building the southbound bridge over Norris Creek.
“The Morrison Government is getting on with delivering infrastructure projects that improve congestion and safety for commuters across Australia, making it easier for them to move around our capital cities and ensuring they get home quickly and safely.
“Under the Urban Congestion Fund, we are delivering 182 packages of work nationwide. The total number of projects that are now completed or underway nationwide is 78. By the end of 2022, more than 80 per cent of all packages are expected to be completed or under construction.
“This is just the latest example of us delivering on our commitment to progress critical infrastructure projects across the country under our record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new bridge would provide a critical link along the four-kilometre highway upgrade which would transform journeys for road users.
“It’s part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $27.5 billion four-year road and transport plan creating 24,000 jobs and driving Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” Mr Bailey said.
“In addition to the new bridge over Norris Creek, lanes are being duplicated, safety measures installed, and fauna connectivity and protections delivered.
“Not only are we delivering a safer journey for all road users, we are also ensuring a reliable road network now and into the future.”
Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport and Federal Member for Wright, the Hon Scott Buchholz MP, said the project is providing an important safety and economic boost for local communities.
“This project is about improving safety for our road users and flood resilience for the region,” Mr Buchholz said.
“These investments in road safety save lives and reduce road trauma, ensuring that all road users can get home sooner and safer.”
State Member for Logan Linus Power said the Mount Lindesay Highway was one of Queensland’s busiest highways, with its upgrade demonstrating the Palaszczuk Government’s commitment to the growing region of Logan.
“There are currently between 25,000 and 45,000 people using the Mount Lindesay Highway between Browns Plains and Jimboomba daily,” Mr Power said.
“There is over $180 million invested in upgrades along the stretch as part of our 10-year strategic vision for the region.
“What’s great is that this investment will deliver real benefits for locals, as well as support local jobs and suppliers during construction.
“I’m pleased to see Queensland based HullSee Joint Venture engaged on this project, and it’s fantastic to see this next milestone now reached.”
Other major works planned in the area include the $356 Logan and Gold Coast Faster Rail program which includes doubling the track capacity, 20km of new track, and station and signalling upgrades.
Federal Member for Forde, Bert van Manen MP, said Queensland-based contractor HullSee Joint Venture had made impressive progress on the project.
“We have local contractors and tradespeople working on this upgrade,” Mr van Manen said.
“An average of 80 jobs are being supported over the life of the project, providing a big economic boost to the region.”
The highway upgrade is expected to be completed by the end of 2022, weather and conditions permitting.
The $75 million Mount Lindesay Highway Stoney Camp Road to Chambers Flat Road upgrade is jointly funded on a 50:50 basis between the Australian and Queensland governments.
