The Federal Government has budgeted $7.5 million to upgrade Youngs Crossing Road

Youngs Crossing Road at North Pine River will get a $7.5 million upgrade to prevent any future closure of the road in the event of flooding.

Youngs Crossing Rd will get a $7.5 million upgrade after the Federal Government announced it would raise the bridge above flood levels. Picture: Google Maps

YOUNGS Crossing Road at North Pine River will get a $7.5 million upgrade to prevent any future closure of the road in the event of flooding.

The Federal Government today that the funding would go towards raising the bridge above flood levels.

LNP Member for Dickson Peter Dutton, however, ruled out the creation of a new route across the river, for now at least.

“The simple solution for Youngs Crossing will raise the level of the existing road and not extend it beyond the existing footprint,” Mr Dutton said.

“It will have no impact on the local environment or residents and retains all our wildlife corridors.”

The existing crossing is often forced to close due to flooding, particularly when water is released from North Pine Dam.

Pine Rivers flood at Young’s Crossing.

It has been a contentious matter for many years, and Moreton Bay Council in January 2013 identified an alternate crossing as part of the proposed West Petrie Bypass Option G.

Cr Mick Gillam (Div 8) said the bypass was not in the council’s 10-year works plan and the council had not investigated upgrading the bridge at North Pine River.

He said the State Government was investigating the possibility of a new transport corridor west of Youngs Crossing Rd and there would be consultation on that later in the year.

“At the moment I don’t know if Youngs Crossing will be the eventual route for that corridor,” he said.

He said the council was also working on plans to upgrade Youngs Crossing Rd to four lanes between Samsonvale and Protheroe roads.

This would be a $50 million project over about seven years.

The Federal Government meanwhile has also pledged a further $50 million to widen the Gympie Arterial Road, “in order to meet the significant increase in vehicle traffic connecting the southern end of the Bruce Highway.”

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the projects would make a real difference to the lives of people living in Brisbane’s north.

“I want people to spend less time stuck in traffic jams and more time at home with their families and working in their businesses – this is what matters,” he said.

The government will also lock in funding for new park-and-ride facilities at Mango Hill and Ferny Grove train stations, with an initial investment of $15 million.

“I’m very pleased to deliver this $15 million to help with these two major projects,” Mr Dutton said.

The funding forms part of $244 million to be invested in Queensland, under the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund.

“The Urban Congestion Fund will deliver a more reliable road network for commuters and freight, and support critical access to employment centres and freight hubs,” Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said.