A phased consultation approach has been developed for a western alternative to the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast, with a preferred option identified for Stage 1.
Federal Minister for Communications, Urban Infrastructure, Cities and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the Morrison Government was committed to funding the delivery of critical road projects across Queensland.
“The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s major freight route, connecting Brisbane to central and northern Queensland, including 11 coastal ports, major regional cities and key tourist destinations,” Minister Fletcher said.
“With growing population pressures across the Moreton Bay region, a new, alternative road connection to the Bruce Highway will help to increase the capacity of the local road network and reduce congestion.
“The including the Bruce Highway Western Alternative project is one of many critical infrastructure projects to receive funding from the Morrison Government as part of its record $110 billion, 10-year infrastructure investment pipeline, which is helping to drive Australia’s economic recovery.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, the Hon Mark Bailey MP, said the first phase of consultation for Stage 1 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative was recently completed.
“Through technical investigations and community feedback a preferred corridor has been identified for the first stage,” Minister Bailey said.
“Stage 1 runs from Moodlu to Moorina within the future Caboolture West development area.
“Three options were presented to the community with the central option listed as the preferred option.
“Each option was explored and evaluated against a range of criteria and presented a range of opportunities and constraints involving property impacts, road connections, environmental and amenity considerations and constructability.”
Federal Member for Longman, Terry Young MP, said the central alignment starts at the D’Aguilar Highway and travels south towards Caboolture River Road, staying close to the existing power easement.
“The corridor will provide for future interchanges and allow local roads to pass over or under the new road,” Mr Young said.
“This will be at locations which support public and active transport and access to the future town centre, key employment areas and health and education facilities.”
Minister Bailey said we will continue to work closely with Moreton Bay Regional Council and the Department of State Development, Infrastructure, Local Government and Planning’s Growth Areas Team to ensure this corridor ties in with the current structure plan for the Caboolture West development.
“The Queensland Government understood the need to get on with the job with a staged approach developed to undertake planning on future stages of the corridor,” he said.
“Input into the prioritisation of these future stages has been provided by Moreton Bay Regional Council considering development pressure, future network needs and an understanding of what can be achieved.
“The next priority stage (Stage 2) is south of Caboolture West from Moorina to Narangba and is around 13 kilometres long.
“Consultation is expected to start for Stage 2 early next year, however in the meantime the community can provide early feedback on future stages through the project webpage.
“This project aims to provide appropriate future transport access and accommodate predicted growth in the area.”
This project forms part of the $20 million North Brisbane Bruce Highway Western Alternative project, with $10 million each being committed by the Australian and Queensland governments.
For more information, visit North Brisbane Bruce Highway Western Alternative, planning | Department of Transport and Main Roads