One of Ipswich’s busiest roads is set for a $60 million, three-stage upgrade driving a safer commute for residents.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said School Road in Redbank Plains is projected to carry more than 21,000 vehicles daily by 2031, with a major upgrade from two to four lanes slated to start in 2029.
“The population of Redbank Plains grew by more than 20 per cent over the last four years – an example of our city’s enormous population growth,” Mayor Harding said.
“Residents are feeling the impacts every day of more people moving into our communities, with more cars on the road creating more and more congestion.
“Upgrading School Road to a four-lane urban standard sub-arterial road is a major project that will directly benefit our community by reducing congestion and improving safety for drivers, pedestrians and cyclists.
“This $60 million, three-stage upgrade will include major intersection upgrades across a 1.5 kilometre stretch between Alawoona Street and Redbank Plains Road, as well as 1.5 metre-wide cycle lanes and new footpaths.
“Council has begun consultation with 39 property owners who may have some or all of their properties resumed to deliver this critical road upgrade.
“We anticipate that two of these properties may need to be fully resumed. Council will work with the owners to progress these discussions.”
Mayor Harding said council had worked closely on engineering designs for the major upgrade to minimise land resumptions, reducing projected resumptions from more than 80 sites down to 39 privately owned properties.
“We understand how stressful it is for property owners to face potential property resumptions, and council officers have been doorknocking individual affected owners along School Road to begin these important conversations,” Mayor Harding said.
“All property owners and tenants will be provided with clear advice from council about specific impacts on their properties, with multiple opportunities to discuss any partial resumptions.
“Planning a road upgrade of this magnitude, including expected property resumptions, takes time, with construction expected to start in 2029.”
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said the planned upgrade of School Road would be welcome news to residents of Redbank Plains.
“This is a much-awaited upgrade that will make our community safer, easier to navigate and deliver a more predictable commute for families navigating the daily school drop-off and pick-up,” Cr Augustine said.
“School Road is one of the most notorious stretches of road in Redbank Plains for slow and frustrating commutes.
“Council will hold multiple community briefing sessions to discuss the planned upgrade with residents and property owners ahead of this major project beginning work.”
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said the upgrade would be delivered in three stages between 2029 and 2032.
“The first stage, delivered over 2029-2030, will upgrade School Road between Alawoona Street and Halletts Road,” Cr Madsen said.
“The second, delivered over 2030-2031, will upgrade Halletts Road to Cashmere street, while the final stage will finalise the upgrades between Cashmere Street and Redbank Plains Road, delivered by 2032.
“Council understands that roadworks of this magnitude will mean impacts to traffic and access throughout construction, but it’s critical we deliver an upgraded School Road to cater to current and future congestion.”
Further information on the project as well as community consultation times and dates is available at Shape Your Ipswich.
