Major Queensland road projects get funding in Tuesday's federal budget
Federal government money to pay for 50 per cent of the widening of the Centenary Bridge, plus contributions to the next stage of the Pacific Motorway upgrade and the Mount Lindesay Highway, are included in Tuesday night’s federal budget.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk on Monday morning agreed to match the funding, meaning the $245 million Centenary Bridge widening project can now proceed.
Work will begin to widen the Centenary Bridge at Jindalee.Credit:Tony Moore
Work is expected to begin in the second half of 2021.
A flyover of the new Centenary Bridge will be released on Monday by Queensland Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.
Most of the other projects have begun.
The federal funds complement existing Queensland government funding for these projects.
There is also $76 million for stage two of Townsville’s Riverway Drive Project, which will be a local feature of the October 31 state election.
The funds include $5.3 million for a business case for a second M1 to be planned between Brisbane and the Gold Coast.
The key highway projects to be funded in Tuesday night’s federal budget are:
- $750 million for the $1.5 billion Coomera to Nerang stage of the M1
- $112 million for Jindalee’s Centenary Bridge widening
- $42 million for the next stage of the Mount Lindesay Highway widening
- $50 million for the Beams Road Level Crossing at Carseldine
- $45 million for Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway link
The specific roads funding was announced on Monday before Tuesday night’s federal budget.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison arrives before delivering a pre-budget address at the National Press Club in Canberra.Credit:Dominic Lorrimer
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the projects had been chosen with the state and territory governments to allow project works to continue and for employment to be continued.
“As part of the COVID-19 economic recovery plan we have invested an additional $1.7 billion focused on shovel-ready projects across the state,” Mr Morrison said.
“This latest investment will provide another boost to the local economy and is part of our plan to support an estimated 5150 direct and indirect jobs across the state.”
Minister for Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said the government’s infrastructure package for Queensland would help key projects across the state continue.
“This will not only drive major infrastructure projects on the economic road back from the pandemic, but build the economy and provide certainty for business over the long term,” Mr Tudge said.
All projects are major construction job employers.
Major projects
- Beams Road open level crossing: $50m from a total $248m
- Bruce Highway upgrade strategy: $20m
- Centenary Bridge upgrade: $112m from a total $224m
- M1 Coomera to Nerang: $750m from a total $1.5b
- Currumbin Creek intersection: $2m from a $4m total
- M1 Pacific Motorway: Exit 45 upgrade $10m of $20m
- Mount Lindesay Highway: Johanna St to South St, $42.2m of $53m
- Cunningham Highway intersection $2.4m
- Several sections of the Bruce Highway
- Cooktown to Weipa corridor upgrade: $38m
Oppposition Leader Deb Frecklington welcomed the federal government funding.
Mr Bailey also said the federal funding was well-appreciated by Queensland.
Tony Moore is a senior reporter at the Brisbane Times