$27.5 billion to drive recovery

Published 3:47pm 15 June 2021

Record funding will flow into transport and roads projects to create jobs and support Queensland’s economic recovery, according to today’s State Budget.

The Queensland Government has released its $27.5 billion, four-year roads and transport investment plan which aims to support 24,000 jobs.

“We’re moving ahead with a $2.1 billion plan to ensure the road network copes with population growth in Brisbane and the Moreton Bay regions with new arterial roads like the Moreton Connector,” says Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

Highway overpass

This includes funding for the $163 million Deception Bay highway overpass and $57 million for safety improvements at the Eatons Crossing Rd and Mt Samson Rd intersection.

There will also be $28.8 million for intersection improvements along Morayfield and Beerburrum Rds as well as $662.5 million for the Caboolture/Bribie Island Rd to Steve Irwin Way highway upgrade.

Key rail investments include $550.8 million for the Beerburrum-Nambour Raul Upgrade stage 1 and $163 million for the Beams Rd, Carseldine rail level crossing.

An early aerial view of the huge construction site on the Bruce Highway, looking north

Pipeline of projects

Mr Bailey said the sixth record roads and transport budget in a row had a pipeline of projects being built or in planning.

“We’ve developed a four-year investment outlook that anticipates future infrastructure demand and backs Queensland workers and businesses,” Mr Bailey said.

“When work sites across Australia and the world shutdown due to COVID-19 lockdowns, Queensland kept building,” Mr Bailey said.

Electric switch

“Since the beginning of 2020, we’ve injected an extra $1.3 billion into the economy to accelerate almost 200 road and transport projects and support jobs when they were needed.

“This budget boosts infrastructure investment, so we don’t lose momentum on Queensland’s economic recovery.

“We also expect more Queenslanders to make the switch to electric vehicles in the coming years, so we’ll keep building more charging stations.”.

To view the QTRIP 2021-22 to 2024-2025 document, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/About-us/Corporate-information/Publications/Queensland-Transport-and-Roads-Investment-Program

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