Super-sized: More cash to fix one of Brissie’s worst roads

More than $50 million in extra cash will be spent on roads around a westside roundabout in an effort to fix on of Brisbane’s worst bottlenecks.

An extra $56 million will be poured into upgrades on Moggill Rd in Brisbane’s inner west, as major demolition work on Indooroopilly roundabout is about to start.

The Federal Government and Council have teamed up to add to Council’s $126 million roundabout upgrade, with a total of $182 million now being ploughed into the area.

Moggill Rd and the Centenary Mwy consistently make it into RACQ’s list of Brisbane’s 10 most-congested roads.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said the Moggill Rd Corridor Upgrade project would alleviate traffic travelling through the western suburbs and help residents get home safer.

The revised project will now include upgrades such as new indented bus stops, bus priority measures, road widening, cycling safety improvements and turning restrictions.

Artist's impression of how the upgraded Indooroopilly roundabout would look.

Cr Schrinner said the contract for the roundabout would be awarded within weeks, with major demolition work to remove the former Audi dealership started after asbestos was removed.

“This is not a Band-Aid solution,” Cr Schrinner said.

“We’re not just undertaking a bit of remedial work on the existing roundabout.

“We’re removing the roundabout altogether and replacing it with a state-of-the-art solution for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

“Currently the roundabout is operating above capacity during peak hour periods, with 38,000 vehicles per day to the west of Moggill Rd, 47,000 to the east and 25,000 vehicles per day along Coonan St.

“By expanding this project, we’re establishing a pipeline of work for the construction industry which is important in the lead up to the Brisbane 2032 Games.”

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner and Ryan MP Julian Simmonds.

Cr Schrinner said work would now begin on identifying and prioritising a range of projects along Moggill Rd, between High St and Russell Tce.

They would kick off once the roundabout was completed.

“We will continue improving traffic conditions through Brisbane’s western suburbs with ongoing work along Moggill Rd that will allow motorists to keep moving by widening roads and moving parked buses out of traffic lanes where possible,’’ Cr Schrinner said.

Federal MP for Ryan, Julian Simmonds, said the new intersection would be transformational for the area.

“This is a game changer for our community. Locals know all too well the frustrations of sitting in traffic on the Moggill Rd corridor and waiting at bottlenecks like the one at the Indooroopilly Roundabout,’’ he said.

Moggill Rd will be significantly upgraded.

“This project will transform this intersection and the surrounding area, it will be safer, will get traffic moving and create hundreds of local jobs during construction.”

Councillor for Walter Taylor Ward, James Mackay, said the extra works on Moggill Rd would make the roundabout upgrade even more effective.

Local state Greens MP, Michael Berkman said buses, pedestrians and active transport safety should be prioritised over more road widening.

“The federal and Council LNP have a track record of wasting millions on pointless road widening, so I hope this time they listen to locals who want safer streets and better buses, not more traffic,’’ Mr Berkman said.

“The 444 and other Moggill Rd buses are unreliable, but dedicated bus lanes through Indro, Taringa and Toowong could fix that.

“I support dedicated bus lanes, pedestrian safety and separated bike lanes, but I don’t support adding more traffic lanes for cars.

“We know more space for cars means more traffic, so let’s fix public transport instead.

“Unfortunately the Indro roundabout upgrade will prioritise private car trips from the outer suburbs over public transport, pedestrian safety and cycling, but this (Moggill Rd Corridor Upgrade project) is a chance to make amends.’’