Big budget boost for region's roads

Published 3:02pm 17 June 2022

Big budget boost for region's roads
Words by Jodie Powell

Road construction, repairs and resurfacing are among the biggest priorities in this year’s Moreton Bay Regional Council Budget, with $43 million earmarked for 155 projects across the region in the coming year.

Mayor Peter Flannery says the work will include the start of construction of a new bridge across the North Pine River at Youngs Crossing Rd.

Key roads at Dakabin, Kippa-Ring, Arana Hills, Mango Hill, Caboolture, North Lakes, Burpengary East, Morayfield and Bellmere will also be upgraded at a cost of more than $1 million each and Council’s Gravel to Sealed Road Program will receive $1 million to maintain the region’s rural roads.

Mayor Flannery says Council services more than 3700km of roads - the distance of a return trip from Morayfield to Melbourne - and is aiming to get ahead of the region’s predicted growth.

Catering for koalas

Big budget boost for region's roads

“We’re balancing this essential work with a strong environmental focus,” he says.

“We’ll be employing wildlife spotters to ensure local wildlife isn’t affected during the construction phase.

“We’re building koala and wildlife crossings; and we’re installing koala protection fencing so they don’t wander onto the road networks.”

Mayor Flannery says severe weather earlier in the year reinforced the need for the $68.5 million Youngs Crossing Rd bridge, to which Council will contribute $30 million. Construction starts this year.

“This is the beginning of a two-year project which will be the biggest road infrastructure project in our Council’s history.

“This will be delivered by 2024 thanks to the Federal Government’s contribution of $32.75 million and it will provide one of our busiest roads with flood immunity for up to a 1 in 100-year flood.

“Council’s $1 million Gravel to Sealed Roads Program will bring underdeveloped roads in more remote parts of Moreton Bay up to a modern standard to improve safety, quality of life, and get ahead of future development.”

Roads to be sealed

  • Cove Rd, Commissioners Flat
  • Ahern Rd, Delaneys Creek
  • Kirby Rd, Elimbah
  • Dobell Dve, Morayfield
  • Heisner Rd, Mount Mee
  • Clifford Rd and Rahes Rd, Mount Pleasant
  • Whyte Rd, Neurum
  • Raaen Rd, Rush Creek
  • Beltana Avenue, Toorbul
  • Hoffman Rd, Wamuran

“Another big project to keep traffic moving after heavy rain is at the intersection of Henry Rd and Dohles Rocks Rd in Griffin, with $13.8 million to raise the road level and improve traffic safety - thanks to $4 million in Federal Government funding,” Mayor Flannery says.

“Old Gympie Rd, Dakabin has been another concern for motorists, especially as it’s become a popular alternative to the Bruce Highway - which is why we’ll begin rolling out $83 million worth of works along this stretch of road over the coming years.”

Focus on Gympie Rd

Big budget boost for region's roads

A series of projects is planned along Old Gympie Rd – the first of which is the $5.2 million upgrade of the intersection with Boundary Rd.

“Construction will start in the coming 12 months on new traffic lights, pedestrian crossings, bike lanes and landscaping, which will give residents improvements in safety and traffic flow, and fewer delays.

“Major roads that feed into Old Gympie Rd will also need to be upgraded, so we are starting at the Alma Rd and Marsden Rd intersection at Dakabin, with an initial $1.3 million as part of a larger $3 million project to install traffic lights, add traffic lanes and median strips between lanes, and construct bikeways.

“This includes $915,000 from the Federal Government to help push this project along, thanks to Longman MP Terry Young.”

Intersection works

At Narangba, the intersection of Young and Oakey Flat roads will get a $6 million upgrade from a single lane roundabout to a multi-lane crossing with traffic lights and dedicated turning lanes.

At Bongaree, pedestrian safety will be improved with $935,000 for a raised street crossing, lighting, signs, street furniture and landscaping at the intersection of First Ave and Welsby Pde.

Other intersections earmarked for work include Klingner and Boardman roads at Kippa-Ring, ($3.2 million); South Pine and Plucks roads, Arana Hills, ($2.5 million); William Berry Dve and Morayfield Rd, Morayfield (an initial $1 million of the $3.6 million project); and Francis and Sparkes roads and Ellis St, Lawnton (an initial $1 million of the $9.8 million project).

“Mango Hill Ring Rd will be completed, starting with an initial $2.5 million as part of a $5.2 million project to extend Lamington Rd to Anzac Ave and Capestone Boulevard in Mango Hill, add pathways, on-road cycle lanes, pedestrian crossing facilities, street tree planting and landscaping,” Mayor Flannery says.

Samford and Mount Nebo will have $4.1 million set aside for road safety and transport improvements.

Budget highlights for roads

  • $30 million in initial funding for road and bridge construction at Youngs Crossing Rd, Joyner
  • $13.8 million to raise the road level and improve traffic safety at the intersection of Henry and Dohles Rocks roads, Griffin, with $4 million in Federal Government funding
  • $6 million for upgrading the intersection of Oakey Flat and Youngs roads, Narangba
  • $5.2 million for improvements at the Old Gympie Rd intersection with Boundary Rd, Dakabin
  • $4.5 million for road repair, a turning lane and works for potential future road widening at Boundary Rd at Narangba
  • $3.2 million to upgrade the intersection of Klingner and Boardman roads, Kippa-Ring
  • $2.5 million to upgrade the intersection of South Pine and Plucks roads, Arana Hills
  • $2.5 million to complete the Mango Hill Ring Rd, with extension of Lamington Rd to Anzac Ave and Capestone Boulevard at Mango Hill
  • $2.3 million for repairing Discovery Dve, North Lakes, removing cracks and deformation and ensuring a waterproof surface
  • $2 million to repair rutting and cracking at Eastern Service Rd, Burpengary East
  • $1.9 million for widening Graham Rd, Morayfield from two to four lanes and installing a central median strip
  • $1.6 million to repair rutting at Bellmere Rd, Bellmere
  • $1.3 million initial funding for upgrading the intersection of Alma and Marsden roads, Dakabin, as part of a $3 million project
  • $1.3 million for street furniture, landscaping and paving at Main St, Samford Village
  • $1 million initial funding to upgrade the intersection of William Berry Dve and Morayfield Rd, Morayfield, as part of a $3.6 million project
  • $1 million initial funding to upgrade the intersection of Francis and Sparkes roads and Ellis St, Lawnton, as part of a $9.8 million project
  • $935,000 to improve pedestrian safety with a raised street crossing and lighting, street furniture and landscaping at the intersection of First Ave and Welsby Pde, Bongaree.

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