News
13 May, 2022
$100 million promise for major road upgrade in Morayfield
A RE-ELECTED Coalition Government will commit $100 million to make Morayfield’s Buchanan Road upgrade and rail overpass a reality, it was announced on Wednesday.
The project will four-lane Buchanan Road and connect it all the way from the Bruce Highway through to Morayfield Road, and construct a new bridge over the Caboolture rail line at Sheep Station Creek in Morayfield.
Member for Longman, Terry Young, said that once completed, the new road would help address congestion concerns regarding the future Caboolture West estate.
“Many residents have contacted me and asked how people will access the Bruce Highway without creating chaos on Caboolture River Road and Buchanan Road. This project will address these concerns,” Mr Young said.
“This is a much-needed piece of infrastructure for the Longman community and this commitment from the Coalition will ensure residents can travel safely and reduce congestion on our roads.”
The $200 million project will be a 50/50 funding agreement with Moreton Bay Regional Council (MBRC).
MBRC Mayor, Cr Peter Flannery, said the Buchanan Road project was critically important in a booming growth area, especially before the Caboolture West development comes online.
Cr Flannery said there was huge growth in Caboolture West, with 70,000 people going to be there in the next 30 years, and that the Buchanan Road project announcement would be a game changer in the northern part of the Moreton Bay region.
“We know 50 percent of locals rate congestion as their major local concern, and my concern as Mayor is that this can only get worse without significant federal funding,” he said.
Cr Flannery said the project would not only benefit the tens of thousands of residents and shoppers passing through, but also to lifestyles of people in surrounding areas who regularly find themselves in traffic gridlock.
“This railway overpass is critical, as it means locals will no longer get stuck waiting for trains,” Cr Flannery said.
“Further, the project will significantly reduce flood impacts in an area that’s been closed for an average of almost three days every year between 2013 and 2021.”
The project will be constructed in three stages, starting with the duplication of Buchanan Road to the Bruce Highway interchange, including signalisation of Graham Road intersection.
Stage 2 includes the duplication of Buchanan Road from west of Graham Road to Kirkcaldy Street.
Stage 3 duplicates Buchanan Road and William Berry Drive, including the construction of a new bridge over the rail line and Sheep Station Creek.
The Buchanan Road corridor currently carries 19,500 vehicles a day but one prang creates immediate gridlock on the Bruce Highway and Morayfield Road.
Cr Flannery said Council has a plan that will enable it to carry 32,000 vehicles per day by 2036.
“The railway overpass is critical, as it means locals will no longer get stuck waiting for trains. Further, the project will significantly reduce flood impacts in an area that’s been closed for an average of almost three days every year between 2013 and 2021.
There are four separate sections that make up the project (cost estimates):
Kirkcaldy St to Morayfield Rd - $149 million: Duplication of Buchanan Road and William Berry Drive including the construction of a new bridge over the rail line and Sheepstation Creek.
Graham Rd to Kirkcaldy St - $12 million: Duplication of Buchannan Road from west of Graham Road to Kirkcaldy Street.
Bruce Hwy to Graham Rd - $24 million: Duplication of Buchanan Rd to Bruce Hwy interchange, including signalisation of Graham Rd intersection.
Weier Road - $10 million: Upgrade along Weier Road from Buchanan Road through to Market Drive, to accommodate growth at the Plantation Retirement Resort and Blue Care facility.
