to 8 hours usage time depending on truck batteries

Qld commits $29.7b for roads over next four years

A TOTAL of $29.7 billion, over four years, is set to go towards transport and roads projects across Queensland.

The record funding was announced as part of the 2022-23 Queensland Budget handed down last week.

“Queensland is growing rapidly, with our world leading pandemic response making our state the place to be, but we know we need infrastructure to support this growth and that’s what this budget delivers for Queenslanders,” said Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

The budget includes major investment in south-east Queensland roads. “Works are ramping up on the M1, Bruce Highway, and on the $2.1 billion Coomera Connector,” Bailey added.

“Driving from Coolangatta to Coolum, Queenslanders can see just how many major upgrades are going on through that corridor.

“From the $1 billion Varsity Lakes to Tugun M1 upgrade and the $1 billion Daisy Hill to Logan Motorway M1 upgrade, to the $662.5 million Caboolture to Steve Irwin Way Bruce Highway upgrade, we’re delivering more lanes, better interchanges, and safer conditions across the southeast’s major roads.

“On top of that, we’re building a brand new highway, the Coomera Connector, which will deliver a second M1 between Logan and the Gold Coast, and will be the biggest road project in Queensland’s history.

“That’s the major work we are delivering right now, while also planning for the future with a range of planning studies and business cases funded through this budget to detail what’s needed next across the region.”

Assistant Regional Roads and Train Manufacturing Minister Bruce Saunders said major regional corridors such as the Bruce Highway are getting further significant investment too.

“More than half of this record-breaking investment will directly support regional Queensland, with over $18 billion worth of road and transport projects being delivered outside the Brisbane region,” Saunders said.

“This includes funding for major regional projects like the $1.06 billion Rockhampton Ring Road, the $1 billion Cooroy to Curra Bruce Highway upgrade, the $481 million Cairns Southern Access Corridor Bruce Highway upgrade, the $350 million Mackay Port Access road, the $336 million Tiaro Bypass on the Bruce and the $230 million Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5).

“It also includes $280 million over four years for the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme which increases our commitment to work with local governments on local road and transport networks in regional areas.”

A total of $1.49 billion has also been allocated to targeted road safety programs, which is in addition to road safety improvements delivered as part of major programs and projects.

Bailey said the Queensland Government will work closely with the Australian Government in coming months to incorporate new commitments into the infrastructure pipeline such as additional federal funding for the Bruce Highway, Kuranda Range, Boundary Road level crossing (Coopers Plains) and Ipswich Motorway planning.

The budget also includes a $1 billion funding commitment towards upgrades of the Inland Freight Route (Charters Towers to Mungindi), a jointly funded project with the Australian Government.

A total of $359 million is being spent on the Cairns Ring Road (Cairns CBD to Smithfield), jointly funded with the Australian Government.

Bridge review slashes red tape for Qld crane operators

Crane operators will potentially save about 1062 permit applications over the next 12 months. Photo: Alf Wilson

TO reduce the numbers of permits required to move heavy cranes around Queensland, the Department of Transport and Main Roads has reviewed the carrying capacity of 30 bridge and overpass structures across the state.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the deep dive would potentially save operators about 1062 permit applications over the next 12 months.

“Over the past few months my department has worked in partnership with the Crane Industry Council of Australia to make sure our assessment and permit system met the needs of the industry,” Bailey said.

“Cranes are unique in that they are relatively heavy for their length and impact some shorter bridges much more than other heavy vehicles, which has meant restrictions have been in place on some bridges.

“Through the technical investigation into the structural carrying capacity of the structures most used by the crane industry, we’ve identified a number of bridges where restrictions could be relaxed.

“Safety is absolutely paramount so rest assured these bridges will carry these cranes safetly.”

Bailey said the 30 structures accounted for about 70 per cent of the total crossings at restricted structures in the last six months.

He said nine structures could now be accessed without restriction for Category 1 cranes, with a further 14 no longer requiring single-trip permits for Category 2 cranes.

“These structures can now be accessed by the crane industry under their existing three-year permits, removing the need for industry to apply for single-trip permits,” Bailey said.

“Not only will this make the lives of crane drivers much easier, but it will also reduce congestion in the permit processing system.

“We estimate crane operators will potentially save about 1062 permit applications over the next 12 months – a big win all round.”

Bailey said Transport and Main Roads would continue to work with industry to ensure improvements to access are safe and sustainable.

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