Federal Budget: $25m win for horror Brisbane roundabout

A fix is in sight for one of Brisbane’s most congested and dangerous roundabouts, with $25 million was set aside for it in the Federal Budget. And it could mean huge changes for the site.

Brisbane motorists could soon see action on this notorious roundabout after a Federal Budget announcement. Picture: Paul Guy

A FIX is in sight for one of Brisbane’s most congested and dangerous roundabouts after $25 million was set aside for it in the Federal Budget.

The Budget set aside the welcome cash to upgrade Indooroopilly Roundabout, a notorious bottleneck in the city’s inner west.

Budget latest: Live blog

Federal Budget 2019: Your 5 minute guide

Budget 2019: The complete list of winners and losers

Payments of $15k in bid to hire 80,000 new apprentices

Federal LNP candidate for Ryan, Julian Simmonds, said he was delighted after fighting for funding for the accident and congestion hotspot.

He took Prime Minister Scott Morrison on a tour of the inner-west’s worst roads on Mr Morrison’s recent visit to Brisbane in a bid to chisel more money for infrastructure out of Canberra.

LNP candidate for Ryan, Julian Simmonds, at the Walter Taylor Bridge. Picture: AAP/John Gass

“This $25 million will kickstart work on the roundabout and comes after Brisbane City Council spent several million on design work,’’ he said.

“This is a shovel-ready project which can start as soon as the Budget is passed, but is designed to dovetail in with the council Budget in June.

“It’s part of a Budget infrastructure package that could only have been achieved with a well-managed Budget that is in surplus.’’

The Indooroopilly roundabout. Picture: Paul Guy

Mr Simmonds said Council wanted to replace the roundabout with a T-intersection. Suggestions for a flyover were rejected, considered as being not the best solution.

The roundabout is choked every morning peak hour and every afternoon, from 3pm, as it is the convergence of Moggill Rd and traffic coming off the Walter Taylor Bridge from Sherwood, Graceville, Chelmer and further southwest.

However, Councillor Nicole Johnston (Tennyson), whose ward takes in the suburbs on the south side of Walter Taylor Bridge, said it was imperative the large flow of southwest traffic was not slowed further by a T-intersection.

Congestion on Honour Ave and the bridge is already so bad in the morning and afternoon peaks that it is faster to jog than to drive.

“The Moggill roundabout upgrade must take into account the huge volume of traffic coming across the Walter Taylor Bridge and along Coonan St,’’ Cr Johnston said.

“So far, the Lord Mayor (Adrian Schrinner, and his predecessor Graham Quirk) has ignored my calls for consultation on the design to find an innovative solution that doesn’t disadvantage southwest traffic.’’

She said Cr Quirk promised consultation but had heard nothing from council.

“Where are the plans? When will consultation commence?’’ she said.

Why are lights, which will disadvantage northbound traffic over the bridge and through Coonan St, the only option being considered?

“What traffic modelling has been done to determine the best solution for dealing with congestion?

“Why haven’t all the options been released for consultation and discussion in the community?’’

50C A DAY FOR 6 MONTHS: SUBSCRIBE TO WESTSIDE NEWS

& THE COURIER MAIL

The Budget announcement comes after state Transport Minister Mark Bailey yesterday called on Council to duplicate the Walter Taylor Bridge.

In a slapdown of incoming Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner’s first promise to residents, Mr Bailey said the Walter Taylor — connecting Graceville and Chelmer to Indooroopilly — was far more urgent.

“It is simply unacceptable to have a single lane of traffic being funnelled into the CBD along this vital route. It just does not work,’’ said Mr Bailey, whose electorate of Miller covers the area,’’ he said.

“While I’m certainly not going to oppose five green bridges, where is the action on the Walter Taylor?

“This is the most congested river crossing in Brisbane.’’

CALLS FOR COUNCIL TO FUND NEW WALTER TAYLOR BRIDGE

BRIDGE TRAFFIC SO SLOW A JOGGER CAN OUTRUN A CAR

But incoming Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said he was surprised Mr Bailey was focusing on a bridge for private vehicles.

“Bridges aren’t green if they have cars on them. It’s surprising that the Minister for Transport is encouraging more people to drive,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We’re focused on more sustainable forms of transport and green bridges are all about giving alternatives to private motor vehicle use.

“That’s why I have announced a plan for five new green bridges to help reduce traffic congestion and dramatically improve Brisbane’s cross-river connectivity.

“This vision is a natural extension of the work I have done over the last three years leading the Brisbane Metro project and rolling out new bike paths and cycling infrastructure across the city.”

Cr Schrinner has proposed river links at Bellbowrie, Toowong-West End, St Lucia-West End, Kangaroo Point to the CBD and at Breakfast Creek.