Youngs Crossing upgrade reverts to Option 1

Published 11:39am 26 May 2021

Two large fig trees of significance to Traditional Owners will be protected by an adjustment to the alignment of the Youngs Crossing Road upgrade.

Early detailed design work has led to the alignment being amended, moving the upgraded road slightly to the west to address concerns raised by the community.

The design will maintain access to the local waterhole for swimming, provide an opportunity to preserve two large fig trees as requested by Traditional Owners and reduce the impact on the lowland forest area to address environmental concerns.

See the new alignment

A total of $68 million has been committed to improve flood immunity and cater for growing traffic at Youngs Crossings Rd thanks to an extra $25 million in Federal Government funding.

About 515 total jobs will be supported by the project, which will help ensure the 20,000 vehicles travelling along the corridor daily can do so safely.

The new alignment, to be designed by HDR, still largely follows the Youngs Crossing Rd alignment endorsed by Moreton Bay Regional Council following community consultation last year.

Fixing flood issues

Federal Member for Dickson Peter Dutton says more than two thirds of respondents supported an upgrade largely based on the existing Youngs Crossing route.

“Local residents are currently forced to drive through what is a creek bed; Youngs Crossing Rd is a major route and is often cut off with a heavy rain event or release from the dam,” Mr Dutton says.

“Thanks to the support of the community, I have secured $32.75 million in total funding from the Morrison Government to upgrade Youngs Crossing, which forms a critical link in the South East Queensland road network.

Largest road upgrade

Mayor Peter Flannery says the project will be the single largest road upgrade delivered by Moreton Bay Regional Council.

“This extra support from the Federal Government is as close to a perfect outcome as a Mayor can dare to dream,” Mayor Flannery says.

“On average Youngs Crossing is closed in excess of four days every year due to floods since 2011, and it has already been closed twice this year for a total of four days.

“This is an essential project to accommodate the growth in our region by improving road safety and capacity, providing resilience for a one in 100-year flood event and eliminating the horrific congestion those flood events cause.

“Those commuters are dispersed across our road network causing havoc on the Bruce Highway, Old Gympie Road and other key roads.”

Construction is expected to start in March/April 2022, with completion expected by December 2023.