3100 jobs coming: LNP plan for new Brisbane bridge
One of Brisbane’s worst roads, the Centenary Mwy, will get a $245m second bridge to help bust congestion if the LNP is elected.
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A long-awaited second bridge over the Brisbane River will be built under an LNP plan to fix traffic jams on the clogged Centenary Mwy.
Opposition leader Deb Frecklington and local MP Christian Rowan announced the $245 million election promise this morning.
It is the first plank revealed so far in the LNP $1 billion recession-busting infrastructure strategy.
The SEQ Congestion Program will be fully-funded and fast-tracked to create a pipeline of new construction projects and thousands of new jobs.
“There are more than 200,000 Queenslanders out of work, so the LNP wants shovels in the ground as soon as possible,’’ Ms Frecklington said.
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“Our congestion-busting projects will directly employ 3100 Queenslanders, but the flow-on economic effects will help to create a decade of secure jobs across the southeast.
“The Morrison Federal Government provided Queensland with the JobKeeper and JobSeeker safety nets, but now it’s time for state governments to step up.
“The LNP will invest for growth and deliver ‘JobMaker’ infrastructure for Queensland workers.”
LNP Shadow Treasurer Tim Mander said the $1 billion fund would be new spending, in addition to the $550m the LNP has committed to deliver the Second M1.
“This funding is guaranteed by the LNP, so there will be none of the petty fights with the Federal Government that have stopped infrastructure under Labor,” Mr Mander said.
“The procurement will be fast-tracked and preference will be given to Queensland contractors. Now is the time to help our own first.”
The duplicate Centenary Bridge will increase the number of lanes over the Brisbane River to six, with scope to add two more lanes when needed.
More than 100,000 vehicles squeeze through the existing bridge’s four lanes each weekday and an estimated 157,000 vehicles will be using it by 2036.
The Mwy is consistently in the RACQ’s top 10 worst Brisbane roads for poor travel time and accidents.
Dr Rowan, the LNP MP for Moggill, has campaigned for years to improve both the Centenary Mwy and Moggill Rd.
He said residents of Kenmore, Fig Tree Pocket and other suburbs had waited too long for action to bust congestion on the Centenary Mwy and Western Fwy.
“The Palaszczuk Labor Government ripped almost $9 billion from the infrastructure budget, even though our local roads need huge investment,” Dr Rowan said.
“Only the LNP will invest in the new infrastructure the western suburbs need to bust congestion and create secure jobs.
“It’s time to get the western suburbs moving and working again.”
LNP candidate for the Indooroopilly-based seat of Maiwar, Lauren Day, said congestion on the Centenary flowed through to Moggill Rd in Maiwar.
“Peak-hour congestion is bringing the western suburbs to a standstill,” Ms Day said.
“The LNP’s plan will bust the Centenary Motorway’s biggest bottleneck and make it easier for locals to get to work and get home every day.”
LNP candidate for Mt Ommaney, Roger Hooper, said the Centenary had been starved of investment and was now officially Queensland’s slowest motorway.
“Traffic is down to just 28km/h in peak hour at Jindalee,” Mr Hooper said.
“This $245 million investment for a new Centenary Bridge will increase active transport connections and unlock future upgrades along the Centenary Mwy.”
Mr Hooper was announced on Wednesday as the party’s candidate for Mt Ommaney, considered a winnable seat for the LNP.
Ms Frecklington said Mr Hooper, an engineer and dad-of-three, was committed to creating more jobs in the electorate and busting congestion in southwest Brisbane.
His other priorities include cutting crime, slashing surgery waiting times and improving education results.
Mr Hooper said youth unemployment was a growing problem in the electorate, with almost 16 per cent of young people officially unemployed – the highest rate in Brisbane.
“I’ve spent my career in business and it’s clear that Labor was damaging the economy long before coronavirus,” Mr Hooper said.
Mr Hooper said the LNP’s plan to provide free off-peak rail travel to every senior would be a major boost to Mt Ommaney, by getting more cars off congested roads and putting more money back in the pockets of seniors.
“The LNP will save seniors money and save drivers time,” Mr Hooper said.
Mr Hooper said that under Labor, robberies in the area had increased by 84 per cent and car thefts had increased by 64 per cent.