Exit ramp off Centenary Highway will close for six months for roadworks

A busy Brisbane highway will close one of its busiest motorway ramps in a $6.5 million effort by Ipswich City Council and the Queensland Government to improve safety and bust congestion.

Ipswich City Council commit to Centenary Motorway upgrades.

A busy motorway exit in Brisbane’s West will be closed for up to six months in a $6.5 million upgrade by the Queensland Government.

Ipswich City Council (ICC) is working with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) to fast-track roadworks at a major intersection along Exit 32 at the Centenary Motorway.

The Centenary Motorway Exit 32 is adjacent to Springfield Anglican College, Orion Springfield Central, housing, Springfield Central train station and the Springfield park ‘n’ ride – it is a bustling section of the city, especially in peak hour travel times.

Centenary Motorway exit 32 at Springfield.

The roadworks will help manage the congestion along Exit 32 and the Main St and Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road intersection.

The Centenary Motorway exit ramp upgrade will include two through lanes and two left-turning lanes at the Springfield Greenbank Arterial Rd roundabout.

At the Springfield Greenbank Arterial Rd intersection, the existing right-turning lane will be removed to help improve reliability in travel times, enhance safety and optimise the effectiveness of the signalised intersection.

State Member for Jordan Charis Mullen said the closure of the exit ramp was the safest, fastest and most cost-effective way to complete was a vital upgrade to the busy section of the Centenary Motorway.

Jordan MP Charis Mullen. Picture: Cordell Richardson

“Commuters stuck in daily queues down the Centenary Motorway between Ellen Grove and Yamanto have been telling us for a long time that this section needs to be significantly upgraded to support Springfield’s booming population,” Ms Mullen said.

“The State Government has committed $6.5 million to upgrading this major entry point into Springfield to reduce peak hour congestion and improve safety, and we’re pleased to see this project progress in partnership with Ipswich City Council.

Centenary Motorway (Yamanto – Ellen Grove) and Springfield Greenbank Arterial exit ramp, upgrade intersection location map from the Department of Transport and Main Roads.

“Once complete, exit 32 will be significantly expanded to four lanes – two lanes turning left, and two going straight.

“I appreciate motorists are fatigued by the amount of roadworks underway in this area and TMR and Ipswich City Council will be working closely to manage the impacts of this closure.”

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the closure is a vitally necessary solution for current road users and will be completed as soon as possible.

Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding.

“Taking this action to close Exit 32 will save months in construction time and millions in overall project cost, fast-tracking its reopening,” Ms Harding said

“Other options for this major upgrade included partial closures or months of nightworks, both of which significantly reduced the ability of project workers to complete the work safely and on time.”

For the six months of the traffic works, road users are encouraged to use alternative detour exit routes along Exit 31 or 33, with design elements yet to be finalised by TMR and ICC.

Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said the upgrade of Exit 32 would significantly improve safety.

Ipswich City councillor Paul Tully.

“Having queues of stationary cars on the Centenary Motorway while trying to merge on to Exit 32 into Springfield is not safe and I’m pleased that this project is now underway,” Mr Tully said.

“It will be a busy few months for roadwork in this section of the project, but access to the park ’n’ ride will be maintained throughout the closure.”

The intersection upgrade is fully funded by the Queensland Government under the State Road Network Upgrades, with the Ipswich City Council assisting with the complete exit ramp upgrade, expected to be finished in late 2024.

“Council will also install new traffic lights to replace the overcapacity roundabout at the end of Exit 32,” Mr Tully said.

“These works will begin in earnest once the closure and major Exit 32 works are complete, with commissioning of the new traffic lights programmed for late 2024.

“Once all of these are complete in 2024, peak hour travel through this key entry point into Springfield will be significantly smoother, safer and faster.”

Originally published as Exit ramp off Centenary Highway will close for six months for roadworks