A new road traffic tunnel is being explored to ease congestion on the Centenary Highway south-west of Brisbane.
The QIC and State Department of Transport and Main Roads looking at options along the Centenary Motorway Corridor between Darra and Toowong.
Premier Steven Miles said the options under development considered a range of congestion-busting solutions between Darra and Toowong to ensure a longer-term planning approach.
Premier Miles said this could include upgrades to the existing motorway or tunnel options.
He said the Government’s investment arm, QIC, would work with the Department to build on the learnings gathered from another key project, the Gympie Road Bypass tunnel.
“QIC will consider and provide advice on the economic merits of further investment including surface improvements and tunnel connections in western Brisbane.
“The Centenary Motorway between Darra and Toowong services large numbers of both shorter and longer-distance trips, on average carrying more than 90,000 vehicles per day in some sections.”
Premier Miles said over the next two decades this was forecast to rise rapidly and then existing highway would be unable to accommodate the increased levels of vehicles.
He said the master plan would identify the most effective staging approach to deliver the motorway upgrade in the medium to long term between the Ipswich Motorway in Darra and Milton Road in Toowong and also examine connectivity to and from Legacy Way.
“Similar to what is being planned along Gympie Road, tunnel options for the Centenary Motorway could provide opportunities for public transport, cycling and walking improvements along this corridor.”
He said construction of the $298.5 million Centenary Bridge Upgrade across the Brisbane River was well underway, delivering a second critical crossing over the river.
“Its completion will increase motorway capacity and improve safety for users of the Centenary Motorway at Jindalee.”
He said future investment would include a focus on enhancing the Brisbane ring road network to reduce congestion and deliver more options for people travelling through and around the greater Brisbane area.
