2022 start for Youngs Crossing flood solution
Published 19 January 2022
Shovels will hit the ground later this year on a solution to flooding along one of Moreton Bay’s key connectors, after council today announced expressions of interest to build the Youngs Crossing Road upgrade will be called next month.
Endorsing the next step at Moreton Bay Regional Council’s first meeting of the year, Mayor Peter Flannery said council wasn’t wasting anytime on building a new 212m bridge to improve flood immunity and cater for growing traffic needs on the notorious stretch of road.
“Right now 20,000 vehicles use this stretch of road. That’s thousands of locals cut off from vital services the moment heavy rain events roll through or the nearby dam releases water,” Mayor Flannery said.
“With that number expected to grow as our region grows, this is the time to build a solution that will make sure people can get where they need safely.
The jointly-funded project between council and the Federal Government will see a new 212m bridge built west of the existing road at Petrie.
It will also include upgrades to the Protheroe Road intersection and ongoing access to nearby parks as requested by locals.
“This is a project that’s been talked about for decades, and it’s this council together with the Federal Government that is getting on with the job.
Mayor Flannery said the project would drive jobs in construction for the region, with the new bridge expected to spark more than 500 positions.
“Construction alone contributes more than $5 billion to our economy every year, and we want to keep that momentum with a pipeline of major projects like this, the Mill at Moreton Bay and our ambitions for a second Bruce Highway.
“That’s why council is investing in key projects like this as part of our record $743 million budget to build infrastructure, create jobs and drive our economic recovery from COVID-19.”
Federal Member for Dickson Peter Dutton welcomed progress on the project, and said the Federal Government had committed more than $30 million towards the upgrade to get it started as soon as possible.
“Thanks to our funding commitment, council has already been able to get started on early works and bring about a solution that’ll provide resilience for a one in 100-year flood event,” Mr Dutton said.
“It only takes a few severe storms like the ones we’ve seen just this summer to put Young Crossing out of action, forcing drivers to take a much longer detour and putting pressure on other roads like the Bruce Highway and Old Gympie Road.
“It’s a win for our local community both in terms of solving that issue of flooding, and when it comes to supporting Australian businesses and jobs.”
The expressions of interest process will run until April this year, with short-listed businesses then invited to tender for the project and start works in the second half of 2022, weather and construction conditions permitting.
For more information head to https://www.moretonbay.qld.gov.au/Services/Projects/Roads/Youngs-Crossing
ENDS