ONE of Logan's major traffic woes is set to be solved after the state government announced it will build an underpass at the notorious Beaudesert Road and Logan Motorway intersection.
The underpass project – one component of Transurban Queensland’s $512 million Logan Motorway Enhancement Project – is good news for motorists travelling daily through the existing interchange at Parkinson, which is known for frequent crashes and lengthy congestion.
The overall project is set to create 1300 jobs, and will include the widening of Wembley Road to four lanes between Greenfern Drive and Pagewood Street, as well as doubling the capacity of a two lane bridge over the Logan Motorway.
A signalised T-intersection will also replace a roundabout at Illaweena Street; the westbound on and off-ramps on the Logan Motorway will be relocated; and stormwater culverts will be placed under Wembley Road.
Logan MP Linus Power said he looked forward to the upgrade – of the intersection between the Mount Lindesay Highway and the Logan Motorway, and the Gateway Motorway and Wembley Road interchange – as the project would make travel faster and safer for road users.
“This is a big win for the community who gave feedback (as) the design reflects the ideas they presented,” he said.
“The traffic turning right across the Mount Lindesay Highway will now flow via an underpass without the need to stop traffic.
“Drivers on local roads will benefit as there will be less traffic on Beaudesert Road because of the new on-ramps on Compton Road and an end to delays on Wembley Road.”
Logan City Council also welcomed the state government’s announcement, with construction anticipated to commence mid-2017 and take about two-and-a-half-years to complete.
“Logan’s prime position between the Logan and Gateway Motorways means we are the perfect location for manufacturing and logistics,” Mayor Luke Smith said.
The upgrade will be paid by increasing toll fares for trucks passing through.
Heavy vehicles, which currently pay 2.65 more than cars to use the strip, will be tolled three times the amount paid by cars when the expansion is complete.
