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Ipswich Motorway upgrade: Wacol to Darra

Overview:

A major upgrade of the Centenary Highway Interchange to a free flowing, multi-level interchange and widening of a 5 km section of the Ipswich Motorway from four to six lanes, with the provision for eight lanes in the future (Jervis Street Darra to the Ipswich/Logan Interchange).

Location:

Ipswich Motorway between Wacol and Darra

Completion:

April 2010 (minor finalisation works will continue until June 2010)

Benefits:

To improve safety, reduce congestion, improve traffic flow, increase reliability and reduce travel times.

Funding:

$824 million (Australian Government funded)

Regions:
Metropolitan Region
New free-flowing multi-level interchange (Ipswich left, Brisbane right)View larger image

Project info

On Sunday 18 April more than 500 community members gathered with dignitaries and Transport and Main Roads staff to celebrate the commissioning of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Wacol to Darra project.

The open day acknowledged the patience and support of the local community during construction and marked a significant milestone in the ongoing upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway.

Project information

The upgrade involves:

  • widening the Ipswich Motorway from four to six lanes with provision for eight lanes in the future
  • transformation of the Centenary Highway Interchange to a free-flowing multi level system interchange
  • new pedestrian and cyclist paths
  • earthworks and bridgeworks for a new rail line from Darra to Springfield passing through the new Centenary Highway Interchange
  • new bridges over Bullockhead and Sandy Creeks and the Ipswich rail line
  • removal of motorway access and exit points at Campbell Avenue at Wacol, Bakery Road and Kelliher Road at Darra and Bullockhead Street at Sumner to improve safety and traffic flow.

Further information:

Fact sheets

Contact details

Email: wacol2darra@tmr.qld.gov.au
Phone: 1800 605 410 (higher rates apply from mobile phones and pay phones. If calling from outside of Queensland, STD rates will apply.)
Post: Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Wacol to Darra
Reply Paid PO Box 942
Sumner Park BC QLD 4072
(no stamp required)
SMS updates: www.westerncorridorsms.qld.gov.au (visit the website to receive free project updates direct to your mobile phone.)

Links

Traffic info

Traffic changes

Information about traffic changes in the Western Corridor can be found in the Western Corridor road projects traffic update (March 2010) (PDF, 234.4 KB).

Free SMS updates

With so many projects underway in the Western Corridor, it is more important than ever to plan your journey before you leave. The department now offers free SMS updates about planned traffic changes for Western Corridor projects.

Subscribe to the Western Corridor SMS update service, select the projects of interest and enter your details. To unsubscribe, visit the same website and click ‘Unsubscribe’.

Subscribers will receive free messages straight to their mobile phones about the projects of their choice in advance of scheduled traffic changes throughout the Western Corridor.

This SMS service is one of many communication tools in place in the corridor to increase awareness and minimise traffic impacts and disruption.

The department encourages safe driving, so SMS messages will not be sent during peak hour, or before 9 am or after 8 pm.

Western Corridor free SMS service flyer (PDF, 503.8 KB)

Wacol to Darra: traffic management

The department is using a range of methods to minimise traffic impacts and promote safe and efficient traffic flow during this upgrade. The following changes are in place throughout construction:

  • The department is keeping traffic flowing on two lanes in each direction on the Ipswich Motorway and Centenary Highway Monday to Sunday between the hours of 5 am and 8 pm.
  • The general speed limit through the construction site has been temporarily lowered to 80 km/h and 60 km/h for safety reasons.
  • Outside these times, the motorway will frequently be reduced to one lane in each direction so construction can continue. This may result in minor delays and restrictions for wide load vehicles and or loads over 4 m.
  • Speed may be reduced to 40 km/h to enable essential works requiring traffic lane closures during night operations to minimise disruption.

For safety reasons the speed limit through the construction site has been temporarily lowered in specific areas to 80 km/h and 60 km/h.

Excess dimension transport

During the day, the width between safety barriers will be maintained at 8.0 m at all times, while the widths at off ramps will be 5.5 m. In some circumstances these dimensions may be reduced. Information will be available on the website.

At night widths may be reduced to 4.0 m to enable essential works to be completed. Transporters must seek approval to travel through the Ipswich Motorway by lodging an application with the Western Corridor Team.

Application forms are to be e-mailed to apps.wcorridor@tmr.qld.gov.au or faxed to (07) 3137 8922 during business hours of 9 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday excluding public holidays.

Please download and complete the Western Corridor excess dimension transport application form (PDF, 545.6 KB). Applications should be submitted before 10 am to ensure assessment within 4 business days.

For more information on the application procedure, please refer to the Excess dimension transport application flyer (PDF, 1.1 MB).

See Wacol to Darra width and height restriction map (PDF, 884.2 KB) for more details.

Community info

The department is committed to keeping you updated about construction progress during the project in a number of ways:

  • advertisements in local newspapers
  • community displays
  • community engagement van
  • construction flyers
  • fact sheets
  • letters
  • newsletters
  • radio announcements
  • road signage
  • sms updates (to registered people)

Take a virtual tour

Welcome to the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade: Wacol to Darra virtual mapping and visitor information centre. Step into the construction world and become a part of one of the projects transforming the Western Corridor.

Virtual Information CentreIn the Visitor Information Centre you will be able to:

  • view the virtual drive-through
  • look at construction photos
  • learn more about the new Centenary Highway Interchange.

Take me to the Visitor Information Centre.

Interactive mapping tool (Web GIS)The Web GIS (Geographic Information System) is an interactive mapping tool which allows you to view the project on aerial maps where you can:

  • turn various layers of interest on and off
  • search and zoom to different locations
  • query an address by clicking on the property.

You will need Adobe Flash Player to view the Web GIS page.

Take me to the interactive mapping tool (Web GIS).

Free SMS updates

With so many projects underway in the Western Corridor, it is more important than ever to plan your journey before you leave. The department now offers free SMS updates about planned traffic changes for Western Corridor projects.

Subscribe to the Western Corridor SMS update service, select the projects of interest and enter your details. To unsubscribe, visit the same website and click ‘Unsubscribe’.

Subscribers will receive free messages straight to their mobile phones about the projects of their choice in advance of scheduled traffic changes throughout the Western Corridor.

This SMS service is one of many communication tools in place in the corridor to increase awareness and minimise traffic impacts and disruption.

The department encourages safe driving, so SMS messages will not be sent during peak hour, or before 9 am or after 8 pm.

Western Corridor free SMS service flyer (PDF, 503.8 KB)

Community Liaison Group

The department has established a Community Liaison Group (CLG) to contribute and provide input into the upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway between Wacol and Darra.

The group meets on a quarterly basis and receives project briefings and provides community input on a range of matters during construction of the Wacol to Darra section of the Ipswich Motorway Upgrade. Members will disseminate information presented at CLG meetings to the broader community or interest groups they represents.

Minutes

Pedestrian and cyclist information

We are committed to making sure that everyone who interacts with the project does so safely. This includes construction contractors as well as motorists, cyclists, pedestrians, and children walking to and from local areas.

We care about your safety. Please take a moment and review these construction safety tips.

Latest news

Construction updates

The department established the SAFElink Alliance to deliver the Ipswich Motorway upgrade from Wacol to Darra.

The SAFElink Alliance consists of five partners including Main Roads, Leighton Contractors, BMD Constructions, Maunsell Australia and Arup.

Media releases

Newsletters

Last reviewed: 27 July 2011