Tag: sumners road upgrade

Sumners Road Upgrade Moves One Step Closer, Early Works to Start in Late 2018

With the design process already underway, the upgrade of Sumners Road Interchange moves one step closer to completion.

The Queensland Government Department of Transport and Main Roads recently awarded the design contract to Arup Consultancy in March 2018. The department plans to start early works sometime in late 2018.

Member for Mount Ommaney Jess Pugh is delighted that the project is moving forward.

“This is great news for people who travel through western Brisbane because it will ultimately mean less time spent in the car, and more time spent doing what they enjoy,” said Ms Pugh.

The project is part of the $65-million allocation to decongest Sumners Road Interchange and Centenary Motorway, which registered some of the slowest traffic speed during peak hours, according to a report by RACQ.

Read: Centenary Highway to Get $65-Million Upgrade within 12 Months

Read: Centenary Motorway Registers Slowest Traffic in the City

Overcapacity

The upgrade project is much anticipated as Sumners Road continues to operate beyond its capacity. Every day, up to 35,000 motorists pass through the interchange. Five-percent of the vehicles using the interchange are heavy vehicles.

Decongesting traffic flow at Sumners Road Interchange is essential as it is the main interchange going to the Ipswich-Centenary Motorway intersection. The project would also ease connectivity to Darra train station by reducing bus travel time.

The plan includes adding a second overpass bridge at Sumners Road. This is intended to improve the traffic flow along the interchange. The design will also replace roundabouts at each end of the bridge with signalised intersections.

On-road cycle lanes, shared paths and dedicated crossing facilities will also be added to encourage active transport options.

Preliminary plan for the Sumners Road Interchange (Photo credit: www.qld.gov.au)

Once the project is completed, it should improve efficiency and reliability for public, private and freight vehicles passing through the interchange. The project also aims to promote the safety of active transport commuters.

The upgrade is projected to take around three years, weather and construction conditions permitting.

Mount Ommaney & Other Centenary Suburbs Finally Get the Sumners Road Upgrade

After years of being stuck in traffic on Sumners Road, motorists will be glad to know that the road will now finally get an upgrade.  An LNP Government will build the Sumners Road overpass upgrade to ease traffic congestion and also help improve the traffic flow on the Centenary Motorway.

LNP’s local MP Tarnya Smith has been lobbying for this upgrade for three years and now she has reached victory. It wasn’t an easy battle.

In 2016, residents signed a petition that gained more than 3000 signatures. However, there was no allocated funding for the project then, although a Transport and Main Roads study in 2010-11 supports the idea. There is a study that says that a duplication of the overpass would help reduce traffic congestion. The overpass serves the residents of Sumner, Jamboree, Riverhills, Middle Park, and Darra.

Residents have been trying their best to avoid the overpass when going to work or school because it would take you a long time to get to where you’re going if you go by this route. A lot of Centenary residents would drive to Oxley or Darra train stations instead of taking the buses as well.