Mr Albanese said the appointment clears the way for construction work on the $300 million project to begin early next year.
“After almost four years of extensive public consultations, preconstruction activities and preliminary design work, it’s now full steam ahead with this long awaited upgrade to one of Brisbane’s busiest intersections involving a new Kessels road underpass,” Mr Albanese said.
“This project is all about keeping Australia’s third biggest city moving, not just for the next two years but for the next two decades. All up, the Gillard Labor Government is investing an unprecedented $5.7 billion to renew and extend South East Queensland’s road and rail infrastructure.”
The $300 million Mains-Kessels Upgrade will free up the movement of cars and trucks through the intersection by eliminating the existing traffic lights and diverting Kessels Road beneath Mains Road.
Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace expressed full confidence in the ability of the builders selected to not only deliver a great piece of new infrastructure but to do so as quickly as possible in a built up commercial and residential environment.
“To overcome a major challenge of keeping traffic flowing during construction, we’ve built into this contract a requirement cutting the time in front of businesses or homes,” he said.
“Once finished in 2014, the new interchange will ease local congestion, reduce travel times for more than 90,000 motorists daily and improve safety for pedestrians, buses and cyclists.
“What’s more by separating through-traffic on Kessels Road from Mains Road, the upgrade will help ensure that this part of Brisbane’s road network is able to cater for future growth.” Early works will commence later this year including the demolition of a number of local buildings and clearing the work site. Baulderstone is supported by designers Parsons Brinckerhoff.
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