Congestion busting projects to kick off in Queensland

The Courier Mail reported the Federal Government had unveiled projects that would start this year included the Coomera Connector, Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 and Townsville Ring Road Stage Five.

RACQ Head of Public Policy Rebecca Michael said the Club was pleased to see a focus on works in regional Queensland, with $17.8 billion to be injected into communities outside the south east.

“We’re particularly pleased to see more than $1 billion for improvements along several sections of the Bruce Highway and $150 million for the Walkerston Bypass,” Dr Michael said.

“These upgrades will go a long way to improving congestion and safety, as well as provide an economic boost and help support jobs in the regions.”

Dr Michael said projects like the Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3 would also help ease congestion, which was a growing problem in the south east.

“Previous stages of the light rail have proven popular and in future, as tourism reopens and public transport patronage rebuilds post-COVID, having a reliable, attractive option like the light rail is important,” she said.

“The third stage of the project will get more people out of their cars and onto safe, sustainable and reliable public transport and reduce congestion along the busy, high growth Gold Coast strip.”

In the wake of COVID-19, Dr Michael called on all levels of government to continue to bolster their infrastructure investment and fast-track critical major project delivery to support jobs.

“This sort of investment will put our State in the best position possible to see ongoing growth through safe, reliable and efficient transport networks,” she said.

“This includes projects such as the Inland Highway alternative, all Bruce Highway projects, Cairns Ring Road and critical Warrego Highway safety and capacity projects.”