15 June 2021
Published 13 November 2020
Moreton Bay Regional Council is getting on with delivering the long awaited Youngs Crossing Bridge project, in the hope of completing its construction in 2023.
Mayor Peter Flannery said this was a win for the community, following a record public consultation that saw over 4,300 residents complete surveys.
“The Youngs Crossing Bridge will be one of the largest road infrastructure projects to be delivered by Moreton Bay Regional Council,” Mayor Flannery said.
“I’m pleased Council voted to go with Option 1, even though this will be the more expensive option it was overwhelmingly supported by locals.
“The truth is this isn’t a new project, frankly it should have probably been built decades ago – but there hasn’t been the political will or unity to get the job done.
“That changes today and I’m so proud to lead a Council that’s stepping up to the job of addressing the infrastructure challenges that this region faces.
“While there will be some pain during the construction phase and impacts to traffic flow, the problem will be many times worse if we ignore this issue for another 50 years.
“And today’s action ends the anxiety and uncertainty locals have felt about this project, not knowing what will happen or which road alignment it might follow.
“The most important thing for me was to ensure local residents got to have their say on this important regional issue, so I thank everyone who made their voice heard.
“I hope that we can get this bridge built by mid-2023 and I hope this great outcome is a sign of the big picture thinking this Council will deliver in the years ahead.
“Already more than 20,000 vehicles use this road every day and with an additional 240,000 people set to call Moreton Bay home over the next two decades that demand will only increase.
“Importantly, the construction will be a big jobs-generator at a time when jobs are needed most to help our region’s economic recovery in the wake of coronavirus.
“We have already received some financial assistance from the Federal Government which we are thankful for, and I will continue to work closely with our local Member for Dickson Peter Dutton, Deputy Prime Minister Mark McCormack as Infrastructure Minister and Minister for Urban Infrastructure Alan Tudge to secure additional funding.
“Similarly, I have received commitment from the Deputy Premier Steven Miles to work with Council to identify necessary upgrades to Dayboro Road once Council’s preferred alignment has been identified.
“There is still much hard work to be done, but today is a defining moment in Moreton Bay Regional Council’s history and I look forward to getting on with the job to deliver this project.”
Moreton Bay Regional Council has allocated $40m (including $7.75m provided by the Federal Government) in its budget to progress the planning, design and construction of the new road crossing.