A Shorten Labor Government would contribute $73 million to help eliminate one of South-East Queensland’s worst traffic black spots – the Boundary Road level crossing at Coopers Plains.
The road overpass will significantly boost productivity by reducing traffic congestion, while also improving road safety for local residents.
Federal Labor’s $73 million investment will be contingent upon matching funding from both the State Government and the Brisbane City Council.
The Coopers Plains level crossing traverses three separate rail tracks on the Beenleigh and Gold Coast lines. The boom gates are lowered 138 times each day, causing frustration for motorists who must wait for the trains to pass.
With as many as 1,000 cars and trucks passing the level-crossing each hour, there have been numerous accidents, including 28 cases of cars hitting the boom gates over the past seven years.
That’s too many close calls.
We know that the number of passenger and freight trains using these lines will increase in coming years. Inaction will lead to more congestion, a reduction in productivity and even more frustration for motorists.
The Palaszczuk Labor Government is preparing the business case for this important project.
To this point the Brisbane City Council has committed to contribute 15 per cent of the cost – well short of the 50 per cent contribution it has made to similar projects on Brisbane’s north side.
It is time for the three levels of government to join forces and fix this black spot once and for all.
A Shorten Labor Government would focus heavily on tackling traffic congestion, not only with significant investment in better public transport, but also by improving roads through practical projects such as the elimination of the Coopers Plains Crossing.
Federal Labor has a strong record of delivering for Brisbane’s south side.
For example, it was the former Federal Labor Government that fully-funded the $280 million upgrade of the intersection between Mains Road and Kessels Road.
Completed in mid-2014, this project has greatly improved safety and reduced congestion along the corridor that connects the busy Ipswich, Pacific and Gateway motorways.