Work on traffic-choked westside bridge pushed back yet again

Work on an upgraded Brisbane River bridge to fix monster traffic jams in the westside has been pushed back, prompting the local MP to call it another “broken Labor promise’’. HERE’S WHEN IT WILL START

The start of construction to widen the traffic-choked Centenary Bridge at Jindalee in Brisbane’s inner-west has been pushed back to 2023.

The news comes after Labor promised ahead of the 2020 election that work would begin in 2021.

The time frame was later pushed back and now Transport Minister Mark Bailey has confirmed widening of the ageing 1960s structure would not begin until sometime next year.

Local state LNP MP Christian Rowan said it was another broken Labor promise which would mean shocking congestion on the Centenary Mwy/Western Fwy would continue for the foreseeable future.

“Just two weeks ago the Minister for Transport and Main Roads reportedly denied the project was delayed, with the Labor State Government maintaining that construction would finally commence this year,’’ Dr Rowan said. 

Artist's impression of how the new bridge would look.

“With this important infrastructure project now delayed until 2023, and with the Labor Minister refusing to commit to the $244 million project budget, this is shaping up to be another Bailey Budget blowout. 

“The western suburbs of Brisbane desperately needs comprehensive and funded solutions to reduce traffic congestion, enhance public and active transport, and improve pedestrian and cyclist safety.’’

State Labor MP for Mt Ommaney Jess Pugh, whose seat is on the western side of the bridge, posted on the eve of the 2020 election that work would start in 2021.

But Mr Bailey said an alternative bid for the project had to be explored as part of the Government’s due diligence process, delaying the start date.

He said the delay would be “short’’ and construction would start “soon’’ but did not give a specific time.

Post from Mt Ommaney MP Jess Pugh in 2020.

“The LNP’s record in power was that they not only ignored the Centenary Mwy, but actually cut funding for the Sumner Rd interchange upgrade,’’ Mr Bailey said.

“In stark contrast, the Palaszczuk Government is focused on delivering two major projects on the Centenary Mwy right now, while also planning for the future.

“Construction will soon be getting under way on the Centenary Bridge duplication, and work is already under way on the $15 million Centenary Mwy and Logan Mwy interchange upgrade, which we are fully funding.

“This follows last year’s completion of the $80 million Sumners Rd interchange upgrade on the Centenary Mwy, five months early, a project the LNP cut.

Aerial view of the proposed work.

“It also follows last year’s completion of the $400 million Ipswich Mwy upgrade between Oxley and Rocklea, which has helped ease congestion in the western suburbs after the state LNP ignored the Ipswich Mwy as well.’’

Mr Bailey said the first priority was duplicating the Centenary Bridge as that would unlock any future expansions of the Centenary Mwy.

“However, we are already planning for potential expansions through two planning projects worth $11 million, which will help us identify where future upgrades are needed,’’ he said.

The bridge duplication would turn the existing four-lane crossing into a three-lane, southbound route.

Dr Christian Rowan during the Economics and Governance Committee Estimates hearings earlier this month. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Josh Woning

A new three-lane bridge would be built next to it to take northbound traffic.

About 85,000 vehicles a day use the Centenary Mwy, which his banked up for kilometres almost every day in peak periods.

Accidents, which occurred frequently, shut down an area from Kenmore to Darra.

Dr Rowan said there was still “no transparency’’ from the Government on the status of two other key road projects, the Kenmore Roundabout upgrade and Mount-Crosby Rd-Warrego Hwy interchange upgrade.

“Local residents of the western suburbs of Brisbane deserve better,” he said.