Ipswich City Council has made significant progress on the Redbank Plains Road Stage 3 upgrade, with a key section to be opened well ahead of schedule.
Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said the first section of the upgrade of Redbank Plains Road is now complete, with the newly constructed four lanes from Highbury Drive to Argyle Street open to motorists.
“I am delighted to announce that work has progressed extremely well and from today we can open this section, adjacent to Town Square, several months in advance,” Mayor Harding said.
“This is one of council’s priority road projects – since taking over the project earlier this year, council has been working with a new contractor to fast-track this critical section to meet the community’s expectations.
“I am sure motorists and residents will welcome driving along this upgraded section, with the rest of the Stage 3 works still on schedule to be completed later this year.”
Infrastructure, Planning and Assets Committee Chairperson Councillor Andrew Antoniolli said council appreciated the community’s patience through complex construction work, including lane closures to allow for work on the major project.
“Council made the decision this year to remove the Redbank Plains Road Stage 3 upgrade project from former contractor Allroads when it became clear they were not able to complete the work,” Cr Antoniolli said.
“Council took over the project directly, working with Dinmore-based contractor NARIC Civil to complete the next stages of work. It meant that work was not severely interrupted, and that decision has ensured this section is now finished ahead of time.”
Deputy Mayor and Division 2 Councillor Nicole Jonic said Redbank Plains Road Upgrade Stage 3 (Keidges Road to Kruger Parade) will ultimately see an upgrade to a four-lane, divided carriageway configuration.
“The City of Ipswich Transport Plan (iGO) identifies the need to upgrade Redbank Plains Road between Keidges Road and Kruger Parade to four lanes to meet population growth in the area and the associated, increased traffic demands,” Cr Jonic said.
Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said as the eastern suburbs, including Springfield and Ripley, expanded at an unprecedented rate, this road was even more crucial as a link to Ipswich Central.
“Our major delivery of Redbank Plains Road will continue this year, with $1.8 million allocated in council’s 2024-2025 Annual Budget,” Cr Tully said.
Division 1 Councillor Pye Augustine said residents would see additional works continuing in the area.
“Landscaping has started across the project corridor and, weather permitting, we should see other sections of the Stage 3 upgrade progress smoothly towards completion in a shortened period,” Cr Augustine said.
Division 1 Councillor Jacob Madsen said this will be the third section of Redbank Plains Road to be completed under council’s 10-Year Transport Infrastructure Plan.
“Stage 3 construction commenced in August 2022 and all work is scheduled to be completed by December 2024. We are looking forward to reaching this milestone,” Cr Madsen said.
The project is jointly funded by council and the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
Read more about this upgrade here.
