Tenders sought for $3.2m on-ramp upgrade

The State Government is going ahead with a $3.2m upgrade to the Linkfield Rd on-ramp at Bald Hills, a move blasted by the Federal member as “wasting taxpayer dollars and creating unnecessary roadworks”.

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish welcomes the planned upgrade for the Linkfield Rd on-ramp at Bald Hills.

THE State Government is going ahead with its plans for a $3.2 million upgrade to the Linkfield Rd on-ramp at Bald Hills, a move blasted by the Federal member as “wasting taxpayer dollars and creating unnecessary roadworks”.

Member for Aspley Bart Mellish announced construction tenders open on April 2 for the on-ramp upgrade to ease congestion on the Linkfield Rd overpass.

Federal government commits $100m to Linkfield Rd overpass

“Locals heading towards the overpass know just how frustrating this section of road can be during rush hour,” Mr Mellish said.

Traffic on Linkfield Rd looking west towards the Gympie Rd intersection. Picture: AAP/Josh Woning

“That’s why we’re bringing forward building a dedicated left-turn lane for motorists heading towards the Bruce (Highway).

“It’ll mean people using the northbound on-ramp will no longer have to merge with cars heading east over the overpass.”

However Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth said he was frustrated by the State Government’s decision to proceed with the on-ramp upgrade.

“Last December I secured $100 million (80 per cent of the funding) to upgrade the Linkfield Rd Overpass — the money is there and ready to go to build a new six-lane overpass,” Mr Howarth said.

“Why are they wasting taxpayer dollars and creating unnecessary roadworks when they have the funds to fix the issue properly?”

At the announcement of $100 million funding for the Linkfield Rd overpass project in December were (from left) Federal Member for Petrie Luke Howarth, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Minister for Home Affairs Peter Dutton and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack. Picture: AAP/Dan Peled

The ALP Opposition also committed funding of $60 million to duplicate the overpass if they won the upcoming election.

However Mr Mellish said the Department of Transport and Main Roads had advised him the upgraded on-ramp would be incorporated into any subsequent Linkfield Rd overpass duplication project.

“I can see the merit in proceeding with this upgrade while different levels of government work out when a future major upgrade could occur,” Mr Mellish said.

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Mr Howarth said major road upgrades to Linkfield Rd and Telegraph Rd over the past decade forced motorists to merge from two lanes to one before the Gympie Arterial Rd on-ramp “frustrating thousands of motorists on a daily basis”.

“I have received close to 4000 signatures from locals screaming for an upgrade to this notorious bottleneck,” he said.

“I am calling on the State Labor Government to stop playing politics and fund this vital piece of infrastructure.”