Ipswich City Council has announced the first piece of construction for the planned upgrade and duplication of one of the region’s busiest roads, the Springfield Greenbank Arterial.
Councillors approved a $3.8 million tender go to BMD Constructions Pty Ltd for a single span bridge crossing Opossum Creek on Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial.
Mayor Teresa Harding said council is planning a major upgrade of the two key roads in the Springfield region, taking them from two lanes to four lanes.
“This is set to be the largest road upgrade project in council history,” she said.
“The Springfield region is experiencing rapid growth as a key urban centre within Ipswich. The Springfield town centre has the potential to accommodate 50,000 residents and in addition, longer term development scenarios suggest that the surrounding suburbs of Springfield, Springfield Lakes, Spring Mountain, Brookwater and Augustine Heights will collectively accommodate over 70,000 residents in future years.
“These road upgrades are being undertaken to meet the associated travel demands that come with this growth. Sections of the road are currently carrying more than 20,000 vehicles per day.”
A report to the last full council meeting said the City of Ipswich identifies the need to upgrade or duplicate Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial to four lanes to meet the population and employment growth in the area, and the associated travel demands.
The scope for Stage 1 Package 1 includes bulk earthworks in preparation for services relocations, retaining wall installation, stormwater and underground conduit installation.
It also includes site preparation and construction of a single span 20m bridge crossing Opossum Creek, including all earth works, civil works and structural works in preparation for Stage 1 Package 2.
The road upgrades have been separated into three delivery stages. Within each stage, services such as communications, water and gas will need to be relocated before road construction can start.
Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic thanked motorists in advance for their patience while council carried out the extensive project which in the long term would decrease traffic congestion.
“The majority of the road upgrade will involve the construction of two new traffic lanes adjacent to the existing road. For these sections traffic delays are expected to be minimal,” she said.
“However where intersections will be upgraded from roundabouts to traffic signals, some disruptions may occur. Traffic flows will be maintained particularly during peak traffic periods.”
The overall project cost is estimated to be about $20 million. About $5 million had been budgeted for the Opossum Creek bridge, however it is planned to be delivered under budget.
Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial are identified as a principal cycle route within council’s iGO Active Transport Action Plan and the Department of Transport and Main Road’s SEQ Principal Cycle Network Plan.
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