LNP leader Deb Frecklington and Scenic Rim MP Jon Krause have announced a $40 million promise to upgrade what they say is one of the most unroadworthy roads in Queensland by duplicating a new section of the Mount Lindesay Highway.
Mr Krause said the LNP would invest for growth and make sure the region received the road infrastructure needed for the future.
"In partnership with the federal government, the LNP will make sure this highway gets its fair share of funding after 25 of the last 30 years of neglect by Labor," he said.
Main Roads minister Mark Bailey fired back, saying the LNP ignored the Mount Lindesay Highway when they were in power under Campbell Newman.
He said since being elected in 2015, the Palaszczuk Labor government had locked in $220 million for Mount Lindesay Highway upgrades, $165 million of which was funded entirely by the state government.
"It's been Labor that's upgraded the Camp Cable road intersection, transformed the stretch through North Maclean, built the Beaudesert bypass, successfully lobbied the federal government to recognise and fund the highway as a nationally-significant road and developed a 10-year investment plan for the highway," Mr Bailey said.
"Right now, work is underway on the $20 million Rosia Road to Stoney Camp Road upgrade. Since April, we have announced a further $1 billion in new and accelerated funding for road projects too.
"This includes $75 million in joint funding to duplicate and upgrade the section between Stoney Camp Road and Chambers Flat Road.
"Local MP Jon Krause literally poses for photos next to Labor funded Mount Lindesay Highway upgrades and whinges that we're still not doing enough."
Mr Krause said the Mount Lindesay Highway was a vital link for the whole Beaudesert district and links to the southeast Queensland economy, but that under Labor it had not received its fair share of funding.
"Labor has approved major housing developments north of Beaudesert without the supporting infrastructure. Congestion is so bad on some stretches that speeds are down to just 28km/h in peak hour," he said.
"We need a better Mount Lindesay Highway to grow jobs in Beaudesert, at Bromelton with the Inland Rail coming, and to encourage more investment in the entire region."
"We also need to fast-track planning to widen the highway between Beaudesert and Jimboomba - this won't start for years under Labor's plan for the road, and that is simply not good enough. We need to get on with things, and fast, to create jobs for our region."
Ms Frecklington said an LNP state government would invest $40 million to continue the four-lanes on the Mount Lindesay Highway, south of Chambers Flat Road interchange towards Beaudesert, and fast-track planning for future widening upgrades south of Jimboomba.
She said the work would be funded through the LNP's SEQ Congestion Program - a pipeline of new road and rail upgrades that would create 3100 constructions jobs and take the handbrake off businesses impacted by congestion delays and costs.
"This project will create direct jobs in construction and cut congestion on this key connection between Brisbane and Beaudesert. A safer, faster highway will also give local businesses a boost, helping them create even more jobs in the future," Ms Frecklington said.
"Our procurement process will ensure Queensland firms are first in line for the contracts."
Mr Bailey said the LNP's promises were reckless.
"How can anyone trust anything Deb Frecklington and the LNP say after the LNP called for Queensland's borders to be opened 64 times," he said.
"All the LNP offers is negativity, not a positive economic plan for Queensland.
"The last time the LNP were in power they cut roads funding by more than $600 million and sacked more than 700 roadbuilders.
"They've recklessly made $23 billion in unfunded promises that cannot be delivered. The only way they can pay for their promises is to cut, sack and sell like they've done before.
"Their promises cannot be trusted and won't be delivered without major cuts, sackings and asset sales."
