SEQ congestion busting a priority ahead of population boom

The Brisbane Times reported traffic would explode on the Centenary Highway by more than 400 percent over the coming decades, amid predictions the population in the Ipswich Council area would more than double from 222,000 residents in 2019 to 558,000 by 2041.

Club spokesperson Lauren Ritchie said the Club had been campaigning for many years for upgrades to the Centenary Highway and improved public transport between Ipswich, Springfield and Brisbane.

“The Ipswich to Brisbane road corridor along the Centenary Highway is under immense pressure and is one of the slowest highway commutes in south east Queensland, so we’re pleased to see the Centenary Highway project and new addition of the Ipswich to Springfield Transport Capacity Project included in the updated priority list,” Ms Ritchie said.

“A proposed extension of the Springfield rail lines to Ipswich will include nine new stations and support population growth in the area, including Ripley.

“We need this project to happen as soon as possible to help relieve traffic on the Centenary Highway, provide efficient and safe road networks and also offer sustainable, reliable public transport to the Ipswich region to get more people out of their cars and onto rail.”

Ms Ritchie said the Club was also thrilled to see a dedicated program of level crossing upgrades added to the list.

“A rolling program of upgrades is sorely needed to systematically address congestion and safety issues at many level crossings across south east Queensland,” she said.

“Improvements will allow rail networks to become more reliable, improve frequency of services and prevent damage to rail infrastructure through a reduction in boom gate strikes.

“Now these projects are on the priority initiative list, we’re calling on the State Government to develop them further so that they’re ready for investment and there’s no delay in securing funding for getting them underway.”