Planning is underway for the longer-term upgrade of the Warrego Highway to motorway standard from Dinmore to Helidon Spa, east of Toowoomba.
Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden said the Palaszczuk Government was getting started on concept planning now to meet future demand.
“The four-lane Warrego Highway from Dinmore to Helidon Spa is the backbone of our growing region with traffic expected to double over the next twenty years,” Mr Madden said.
“To meet future demand, the Palaszczuk Government is getting on with the job of developing plans for the interchanges and local service roads we’ll need for a Warrego motorway.
“By upgrading existing intersections with motorway-style interchanges we can increase the safety, efficiency and flood resilience of this critical link in the nation’s freight network.”
Member for Bundamba Jo-Ann Miller said consultation would be an important part of the Palaszczuk Government’s planning for future upgrades of the Warrego Highway.
“Planning for the upgrade of the 80 kilometres from Dinmore to Helidon Spa on the state’s second busiest rural highway is in its preliminary stages,” Ms Miller said.
“As that planning progresses, the Palaszczuk Government will be starting a conversation with land owners, industry and communities about the Warrego Highway’s future.
“With the Second Range Crossing nearing completion, the Warrego Highway will play an even greater role in connecting local communities and keeping Queensland’s freight moving.”
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said planning was already underway for safety works at key Warrego Highway intersections including $550,000 for the Haigslea-Amberley Road.
“The Palaszczuk Government will be focused on key safety projects that are consistent with our vision for a Warrego motorway,” Mr Bailey said.
“We already have a $635 million partnership with the Federal Government for safety upgrades west of Toowoomba with the Warrego Highway Upgrade Program.
“Preliminary planning between Dinmore and Helidon Spa is the first step in assembling a suite of shovel-ready Warrego motorway projects for Federal Government funding.”
The Warrego Highway is part of the ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Land Transport Network (NLTN) which the Federal Government has primary, 80 percent funding responsibility for.
