After two decades, fix looms for horror roundabout

A notorious roundabout will be upgraded after years of neglect have made it one of Brisbane’s most congested bottlenecks.

Traffic is always a problem at the Kenmore roundabout but $12.5 million has been pledged to upgrade it. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

The notorious Kenmore roundabout will finally receive attention after years of neglect have made it one of the westside’s most congested bottlenecks.

LNP candidate for the federal seat of Ryan, Julian Simmonds, announced that $12.5 million had been set aside to upgrade the area.

The money was included in the recent federal Budget but has not been flagged until now.

The Budget also included $25 million to convert the clogged Indooroopilly roundabout into a signalised T-intersection.

Mr Simmonds said the cash for the Kenmore chokepoint was great news for the western suburbs.

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“Securing federal funding to kickstart desperately needed congestion-busting infrastructure is my top priority,” he said.

“This funding will help fix this key congestion and safety bottleneck at the Kenmore roundabout for western suburbs locals.

“Having grown up in Moggill, I know how frustrating this roundabout is for motorists and how important these safety upgrades will be for the parents of students attending Our Lady of The Rosary and Kenmore State School.”

Julian Simmonds at the roundabout. Picture: AAP/Richard Walker

He said timing for the upgrade would depend on the State Government, as it was a state road.

“If the Labor State Government won’t match this federal funding, I hope they get out of the way so this vital upgrade can begin straight away,” he said.

Moggill parents Simon and Janet Ingram said they hoped the cash would help their commute, which involved negotiating the Kenmore roundabout.

“From 7am in the morning traffic is almost stationary back as far as Grandview Rd in Pinjarra Hills,’’ Mr Ingram said.

“I often take the bus to the CBD. It takes an hour but 45 minutes of that is getting on to the Western Fwy from the Misty Morn park ‘n ride, so we’re thrilled about this.’’

State LNP MP for Moggill, Christian Rowan, welcomed the announcement.

“A range of funded solutions to comprehensively bust traffic congestion and enhance public transport availability are desperately needed in the western suburbs of Brisbane,’’ Dr Rowan said.

“The Palaszczuk Labor Government has failed to deliver much-needed road and public transport infrastructure, but now is the State Labor Government’s opportunity to step up and work constructively with both the Federal Government and Brisbane City Council on a range of local traffic congestion solutions.”

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But Greens candidate for Ryan, Jake Schoermer, said Brisbane City Council had “one of the most expensive public transport systems in the country under Mr Simmonds’ watch’’.

“These short-term fixes will only move the problem a few hundred metres down the road,’’ he said.

“We should be making our public transport more reliable, more affordable and more accessible to actually ease congestion.”

Labor candidate for Ryan, Peter Cossar, said Mr Simmonds had many years as a councillor to take action.

“Why would anyone think he would do that now?,’’ Mr Cossar said.

“This is pie in the sky stuff.’’

RACQ head of public policy, Rebecca Michael, said while any commitment to improving roads was always welcome, the RACQ preferred to see a better, more permanent fix than upgrading the Kenmore roundabout.

“Our members regularly tell us this is a problem spot for congestion, and we know the most effective solution is delivering the Kenmore Bypass,’’ Dr Michael said.

“The bypass would mean residents and commuters could make smoother and safer trips through this area, so they’d spend less time in the car and more time with their families.

“Any solution also relies on the efficient operation of other roads in Brisbane’s western suburbs, like the Centenary Mwy, which does a lot of the heavy lifting in the broader road network, so we’d also hope these roads are given the attention and the funding they need too.’’