A SECOND bridge to ease inner-city congestion through Ipswich has been proposed if there is a change of Government at the Queensland State Election.
The proposal was put forward by the Liberal National Party, committing to accelerating a detailed business case for the project if elected next month.
Candidate for Ipswich West, Georgia Toft, said the Second River Bridge would unlock bottlenecks, improve road safety, and provide safe, flood-immune connectivity across Ipswich City.
“Ipswich is one of the fastest-growing cities in Queensland, and the LNP is building the infrastructure needed for our community,” Ms Toft said.
“This is about getting Ipswich locals out of traffic and to where they need to be.
“Time’s up for Labor’s expensive failures, which have overseen $20 billion plus in project cost blowouts, that could have instead delivered local infrastructure like a second Ipswich crossing.”
Shadow Minister for Transport Steve Minnikin said the second Ipswich River Bridge was part of the Right Plan for Queensland’s Future.
“Our Safer Roads, Better Transport program is about getting Queensland’s busy roads flowing again and the LNP has committed to a second Ipswich River crossing to ease congestion in Ipswich,” Mr Minnikin said.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding welcomed the LNP’s commitment to progress a second Ipswich River Bridge.
“Ipswich is a key economic hub with the highest projected rate of growth of any Queensland council over the next 20 years,” Mayor Harding said.
“Yet residents have been waiting for more than a decade for a second inner-city bridge.
“The David Trumpy Bridge has reached capacity of 40,000 vehicles per day and has been identified as a priority in Infrastructure Australia’s Infrastructure Priority List.
“Ipswich City Council has completed the Preliminary and Strategic business cases – the promise of $4 million in funding to develop the preferred option in a Detailed Business Case is the final piece of the puzzle we need for a second river crossing.”
