The Ipswich Motorway Upgrade Rocklea to Darra Stage 1 project reaches a major milestone with the completion of a major traffic switch that will allow for the old westbound bridges to be demolished.
It is estimated that more than 85,000 daily motorists will shift onto raised, wider lanes which Federal Minister for Population, Cities and Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge said “will boost the motorway’s flood immunity by being built to current standards.”
Queensland Premier and Member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk echoed Mr Tudge’s statement, saying that the $400 million project will make the Ipswich Motorway more flood resilient.
“As a local I’ve seen how devastating floods can be for our community, and the impacts on the Ipswich Motorway,” the Premier said.
“What this traffic switch means is attention can now turn to building the new higher westbound lanes and bridges over Oxley Creek.”
“This is a huge win for our community, with new bridges to be two metres higher than the old ones,” Member for Mt Ommaney Jess Pugh said, recalling the 2011 floods that submerged the old bridges that lead to the closure of the motorway that time.
Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Rocklea to Darra – Stage 1 project
Video Credit: TMRQld / YouTube
About Rocklea to Darra – Stage 1 Project
The Rocklea to Darra – Stage 1 is a 3km upgrade project on the eastern end of the Ipswich Motorway between Granard Road in Rocklea and Oxley Road in Oxley and is set to be delivered in stages. The project is aimed at improving travel time, traffic flow, safety on the motorway, connectivity, and flood immunity.
The upgrade works will include:
- upgrading the motorway from 4 to 6 lanes
- higher bridges over Oxley Creek, including 7 new bridges
- new 1.5km Boundary Road Connection Road linking Boundary Road, Rocklea across the Oxley floodplain through to the Blunder Road intersection at Oxley
- new northern service road over the Oxley Creek floodplain
- new traffic signals at the Suscatand Street intersection.
“I’m proud the Palaszczuk Government is delivering this Ipswich Motorway upgrade which is good news for our local freight industry and businesses,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
“As we enter the home stretch, I ask motorists to remain vigilant, be aware of the changes to traffic conditions, and drive safely.”
