No specific date has been set or at least has not been publically announced, for the upgrades to Bribie Island Road, for which the Federal Government provided the State Government 20 million dollars.
Apart from works to install traffic signals at the Old Toorbul Point Road Intersection, for which $10.4 million has been allocated and slated for early 2020, there is no indication of when work will commence. The work for a minor regrade on Bribie Island Road sections: 0-19.06km is in the budget for 2020/2021.
The upgrades have been petitioned for by local residents and Local Member for Pumicestone Simone Wilson MP, whose Fix Bribie Island Road petition has been running for 18 months now.
Once upgrades commence it could mean an influx of work in the area, providing much needed jobs.
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young MP said “We follow up monthly with the Deputy Prime Minister’s office as to the status of the project as we get no response from state departments generally. Unfortunately the answer is always much the same “no change, no exact start date”. As you can see when you open the link below and go to page 79 the lights are due 19/20 and 20/21 and the upgrade is due to start 20/21. The $20,000,000 for the upgrade was approved and available by the federal government in July 2018. Pretty disgraceful really.”
The document Mr Young refers to is Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP). It is a public document and readers can view it by visiting the below website and downloading the PDF, this is the document for the North Coast District: https://www.publications.qld.gov.au/dataset/queensland-transport-and-roads-investment-program-qtrip-2019-20-to-2022-23/resource/a743856e-91aa-4e07-97a6-0212e03f79f4
A spokesperson from the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has said “A total of $10.4 million is allocated to install traffic signals at the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Old Toorbul Point Road intersection. Construction is expected to start in the first half of 2020. The construction timeframe will be confirmed closer to the time.
“We’re continuing to work with the Australian Government to progress required reports and seek the release of $20 million federal funding for Caboolture-Bribie Island Road upgrades. Planning has identified several strategic priorities for Caboolture-Bribie Island Road.
“We have completed early planning for the future upgrade of the remaining two-lane sections of Caboolture-Bribie Island Road through Ningi. Planning is also well advanced for the section between Hickey and Saint Road intersections.
“Any further upgrades on Caboolture-Bribie Island Road will be considered as part of this review process. No funding has not been allocated to a specific project at this time.”
As we enter 2020 The Local Island and Surrounds News will continue to follow up on the progress of these road upgrades.