IPSWICH MAYOR Teresa Harding said rolling out new roads remained a key focus for the council in the 2024-2025 Budget.

“Ipswich has the highest rate of growth over the next 20 years of any South East Queensland city,” Cr Harding said.

“In the past financial year, we spent about $44 million investing in the region’s roads and we are continuing to make significant progress on council’s largest ever road upgrades.

“The Springfield Greenbank Arterial Road duplication will be completed at the end of the year and will see the existing roundabout at the Exit 32 offramp converted to a signalised intersection.

“Upgrades to the commuter carpark and access to and around the Brighton Homes Arena will improve the access and experience for daily commuters and spectators at the Lions home ground.

“The Redbank Plains Road works are also scheduled to be completed by the end of the year and design work has begun to upgrade Fischer Road to two lanes and Ripley Road to four-lanes.

“We aim to have engaged a construction partner by the end of this year to progress this work.

“Construction is also well underway on the Mary and William streets intersection at Blackstone to upgrade this busy intersection with lights.

“Work is currently underway on Darling Street with bridge works over the railway line on Waghorn Street planned for later in the year to fit in with Queensland Rail requirements.”

She said the council would continue to push for the Ipswich to Springfield Central Public Transport Corridor (I2S Corridor).

“A tripartite commitment has been secured to progress a Detailed Business Case, but we need to continue to see this project in forward estimates to get it shovel ready,” Cr Harding said.

“We also need critical upgrades to the intersections on the Cunningham, Centenary and Warrego highways to keep our community safe.”

Funding from the Australian Government Black Spot Program will allow for the installation of road safety improvements at the intersection of Robertson and Whitehill roads in Eastern Heights.