The Rudd Government will invest over $826 million in nation-building road and rail projects in Queensland - including more than $63 million to make an early start on election commitments.

Urgent action is needed to fix Australia's over-stretched transport networks and build infrastructure to meet the challenges of the 21st century.

That's why we're getting a head start on $63.2 million worth of projects that weren't due to commence in Queensland until 2009-10, as well as delivering projects to upgrade interstate transport networks and critical freight corridors.

Queensland's Budget infrastructure package will deliver on our election commitments, tackle major bottlenecks and help make our roads safer.

Our $63.2 million to make an early start on election commitments includes:

• $22.5 million for the upgrade of the Nerang South Interchange on the Pacific Motorway;


•  $20 million to start construction of the Townsville Port Access Road and finish it up to two years early;


• $5 million for planning the Dinmore to Goodna upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway, in addition to major works already underway;


• $4.5 million towards sealing the final 15 kilometres of the Peninsula Development Road between Lakeland and Laura, north of Cairns;


•  $4.5 million to provide more sealed roads, gravel road and creek crossings in the Cape York region;


•  $4 million towards upgrading the Burdekin Bridge between Ayr and Home Hill;


•  $2 million to complete design work for the Cardwell Range realignment on the Bruce Highway;


• $0.5 million for a study looking at solutions for limiting impacts on the Bruce Highway along the Yeppen Floodplain, at Rockhampton; and


•  $0.2 million to start a major reconstruction of the Bruce Highway near Nambour.

Overall infrastructure funding for Queensland in 2008-09 is as follows:

•  $603.9 million for construction projects and maintenance on Queensland's 4,784 kilometres of road as part of the road and rail National Land Transport Network;


•  $24.5 million for 45 AusLink Strategic Regional projects promoting regional development;


• $73.8 million for local roads under the Roads to Recovery Program which is in addition to the $108.0 million allocated to roads under Federal Financial Assistance Grants;


• $11.9 million to eliminate 55 road safety 'black spots'; and


•  $4.5 million for non-AusLink roads.

The Government will continue to implement its land transport infrastructure election commitments from 2009-10 to 2013-14 with timing and specific funding arrangements to be negotiated with the states and territories.