Game plan for $125 million Linkfield overhaul, 196 jobs
Detailed planning has started on possible solutions for congestion at one of north Brisbane’s busiest interchanges.
Arup has been awarded the tender to deliver an options analysis and business case for the jointly-funded $125 million Linkfield Road overpass upgrade.
A crucial step towards building the much-anticipated project, the planning will look at options like duplicating the existing bridge, or removing it altogether and building two new bridges.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said awarding the start of detailed planning was an exciting project milestone.
"Linkfield Road is a key arterial road in north Brisbane that carries about 35,000 vehicles per day and is a notorious bottleneck in the area," Mr McCormack said.
“The Australian and State governments have committed $125 million for this upgrade, which will address the key issues of traffic congestion, safety, and provision for active transport users.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said as part of the process, businesses and the community would soon be invited to share their ideas and make sure the overpass overhaul reflects their feedback.
“Linkfield Road connects businesses in the Brendale industrial precinct and thousands of families in the area to the South East,” Mr Bailey said.
“It’s vital we get this upgrade right alongside our $2.1 billion, jointly-funded plan to bust congestion and transform the region’s roads for North Brisbane and Moreton Bay commuters.”
Member for Aspley Bart Mellish said the milestone was an all-important next step towards construction, which would create 196 jobs as part of Queensland’s continued plan for economic recovery and joint major works soon to start on the $30 million Strathpine Road Diverging Diamond interchange.
“While that planning progresses, we’ve already completed a $3 million slip lane along Linkfield Road, eliminating the need for drivers heading northbound to merge with through traffic,” Mr Mellish said.
Member for Pine Rivers Nikki Boyd said because Queenslanders were doing their bit to help manage the health impacts of COVID-19, the state government has been able to get on with projects like the Linkfield Road upgrade as part of a $23 billion road and transport program.
“Upgrading this overpass will remove a significant bottleneck in our northern suburbs, improving safety and busting the congestion motorists face every day as they merge from two lanes into one,” Ms Boyd said.
“Combined with upgrades at our local train stations at Strathpine, Lawnton and Carseldine, these are the types of projects that will make sure families have plenty of reliable options to get home sooner and safer.”
For more information about the Linkfield Road upgrade, contact 3066 4338 (during business hours) or [email protected]
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