Council
14 November, 2023
$5m inter-highway road upgrade ‘boost’
The Somerset region will receive a “huge economic boost” with a $5 million inter-highway connection upgrade at Fernvale.
The funding, announced by the Federal Government earlier this week, will go towards the widening and bitumen sealing of Somerset’s busiest gravel roads at Muckerts and McCulkins lanes.
Doing so will help reduce congestion and wear and tear on the road network by allowing heavy vehicles and other traffic to avoid the Brisbane Valley Highway, Forest Hill Fernvale Road and the rapidly growing urban centre of Fernvale.
Somerset Regional Council Mayor, Graeme Lehmann, said the upgrade will provide a huge safety and economic boost for the region, reduce travel times and accommodate heavier vehicles and increased traffic.
Fernvale itself receives over 8,500 vehicles per day while Muckerts Lane over 200 vehicles. “This project will construct an alternative to the State-controlled roads and link some of the fastest growing areas in our region, Cr Lehmann said.
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, called the upgrade a ‘turning point’ for the Fernvale community, not just for connectivity but safety given the lanes are currently unsealed and extremely narrow in sections.
There is also a gazetted road linking the two lanes that is unconstructed.
“With this $5 million Federal funding contribution, we’re able to help Somerset Regional Council improve their freight access through the Fernvale development area, so businesses can get on with delivering goods and services more efficiently,” Mr Neumann said.
This project is part of the overall Fernvale South Productivity Link initiative, which includes widening and strengthening existing roads, to improve the area’s economy, productivity and safety.
Federal Assistant Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Carol Brown, emphasised the importance of the Australian Government Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP), which is providing the funding.
“Investing in our roads heavily utilised by large vehicles has taken on newfound significance, particularly as many of our communities contend with persistent flooding and increasingly constrained supply chains,” Ms Brown said.
The Australian Government provides $65 million per year towards the HVSPP, which is designed to increase safety outcomes and productivity for heavy vehicle operations.
This funding is in addition to the Government’s $140 million commitment over 10 years for projects to build and upgrade heavy vehicle rest areas across the country.
