Shayne Neumann (Blair, Australian Labor Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

The Albanese Labor government is delivering in the budget key funding for vital road infrastructure projects in my electorate of Blair, in Ipswich. In the budget, the government is providing $134.5 million for the Warrego Highway-Mount Crosby Road interchange upgrade and $42.5 million to fix the Bremer River Bridge. The Warrego Highway is one of Queensland's main freight corridors, while the Mount Crosby Road interchange is a major bottleneck during peak hour for commuters and a notorious crash site. The budget backs in both projects with real money and is supported at every level of government.

Following community consultation on the Mount Crosby Road interchange, the preferred design includes a new interchange, a bridge over the Warrego Highway, improved access to Karalee and an alternative route to relieve pressure on existing roundabouts and off-ramps. We're investing $134.5 million in this upgrade. It's being matched by the Queensland Labor government.

We're also investing $42.5 million towards critical rehabilitation and strengthening works for the Bremer River Bridge to help prolong the life of the structure, matching the Queensland government commitment. The Bremer River Bridge is a vital connection along the Warrego Highway, and it needs to be fixed. It was built just after World War II, with steel that wouldn't satisfy today's safety standards. This is absolutely vital infrastructure funding.