Roads - articles and discussion

[Stillwater]

The money is there for the feds (Lab/Lib) to spend and if Queensland knocks it back while holding out for a better deal, the fed money on offer to Queensland simply gets redirected to another state.  You would have thought that Mr Emerson would have worked that out by now.  He has negotiated us into a 'zero dollars' deal for CRR while negotiating with his own side of politics.  :conf

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Truss gives go-ahead to road projects

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/9/15/rego-label-days-are-numbered

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Sunday, September 15, 2013

Rego label days are numbered

The days of scraping a registration label off the corner of the front windscreen are numbered, following a Newman Government decision to end the stickers.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said Queensland motorists who owned light vehicles would start to receive their last sticker before the labels are phased out on October 1, 2014.

"This will bring Queensland into line with most other Australian states which have already gone stickerless," Mr Emerson said.

"It will mean a more efficient and effective method of registering vehicles and save up to $3.5 million a year in postage and printing costs.

"Stickerless regos will apply to all vehicles up to 4.5 tonnes which account for about 96 per cent, or 4.4 million, of vehicles registered in Queensland.

"Using a kitchen knife to pry off an old label and trying to stick on the new label without bubbles will be a thing of the past.

"Abolishing labels will also benefit delivery companies and car rental companies with large vehicle fleets."

Registration labels were first introduced in Queensland in 1932.

Mr Emerson said advances in technology meant the detection of unregistered vehicles could be done using number plate recognition, rather than citing a sticker on the front windscreen.

"The key issue in making this decision was to be satisfied that there will not be an increase in the number of unregistered vehicles in Queensland," he said.

"The experience in other states shows that if this is carefully implemented and enforced there won't be any change in vehicle registration numbers.

"Once the labels are no longer required, the public will be able to check the registration status of their vehicle online or by calling the TMR call centre."

Fines of up to $8800 apply for driving an unregistered vehicle.

The registration and traffic improvement fees for Queensland motorists range from $92.55 for a trailer to $777.10 for a car (9-12 cylinders). The Newman Government has frozen registration and traffic improvement fees for Queensland family vehicles during the current term of government.

[ENDS] 15 September 2013

[ozbob]

This is a sensible move ^

I re-registered my horseless carriage over a week ago now, and I have not received the sticker yet (normally arrives a day or so after payment).  The rego expires during October.

Maybe I am not going to get one!   

[ozbob]

612 ABC Brisbane Breakfast

Rego Stickers

16 September 2013 , 7:41 AM by Matthew Macklin

We've been peeling them off and rubbing them on in Queensland for more than 80 years.

But now the end is in sight for the humble rego sticker.

From next October they're being phased out.

The Transport Minister is Scott Emerson and he joined David Curnow this morning.

Click --> here!

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Queensland speed limits to be raised after feedback from motorists

[ozbob]

Multiple issues again today ...

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Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

Crikey, the roads system just keeps on getting worse, crashes, congestion escalating by the day it seems .. #qldpol #transportfailureSEQ

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 9m

Huge delays on the Ipswich Mwy outbound from Goodna to Riverview after an earlier accident #bnetraffic http://t.co/X4fCU6jziT

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Turning $3b into $618m: Brisbane's failed Clem7 tunnel sold off

More than two years after it was placed in receivership, Brisbane's Clem7 tunnel has been sold to Queensland Motorways for $618 million – a fraction of the $3 billion it cost to build.

The tollroad's receiver, KordaMentha, has selected Queensland Motorways ahead of three other consortiums including one led by UBS Infrastructure Fund.

Queensland Motorways, which is owned by the Queensland Investment Corporation, controls most of Brisbane's tollroads, including the Gateway and Logan motorways and the Legacy Way tunnel, currently under construction in the city's west.

The state-owned business had been seen as the most logical buyer of the Clem7 given the tunnel would fit well within the rest of its network ...

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/turning-3b-into-618m-brisbanes-failed-clem7-tunnel-sold-off-20130927-2uihw.html

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> $3b Clem7 Tunnel sold to QIC-held Queensland Motorways for $618m


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Twitter

Kim Flesser ‏@FastFless 3h

Clem7 sells for $618m - it cost ratepayers $770m - RCM paid remainder of $3b cost. Legacy Way will be an even bigger financial disaster?

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

@FastFless Sure will. And the CanDo cr%p about ' 2000 express buses daily ' is still there --> http://railbotforum.org/mbs/index.php?topic=7798.0 ... #qldpol #auspol

[ozbob]

http://statements.qld.gov.au/Statement/2013/10/1/joint-statement-gateway-upgrade-north--preferred-plan

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

JOINT STATEMENT: Gateway Upgrade North – Preferred Plan

Work on the Gateway Upgrade North project has been fast tracked, with designs now available online and early works due to begin in late 2014.

Speaking at the release of the preferred plan today, Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss and Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said the deal struck between the Australian and Queensland governments prior to the federal election meant certainty for the project.

"I expect we will be ready to call for tenders for early works in mid-2014," Mr Truss said.

"This was a key election promise for an Abbott government to ease congestion and improve safety on one of Queensland's most congested motorways."

The upgrade will include widening 11.3 kilometres of roadway from four to six lanes between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge, upgrading the Nudgee Interchange and increasing the Deagon Deviation to two lanes in each direction.

The upgrade and extra lanes will reduce congestion and improve access, traffic flow and driver safety on and off the motorway in each direction.

Mr Emerson said site investigations, including surveys and geotechnical work, are already underway for use in the detailed design.

"Motoring bodies regularly rate this as one of the worst sections of road in Queensland, the cause of major delays and a burden on the economy," he said.

"The upgrade is long overdue and will provide substantial relief for motorists who experience daily congestion on the motorway.

"This project is also of great strategic importance in supporting the Port of Brisbane and the Australian Trade Coast Precinct, an economic growth zone of national significance with predicted employment creation of over 110,000 jobs by the year 2026."

To view the preferred plan for the Gateway Upgrade North project visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au (search for projects Gateway Upgrade North) or call 1800 288 355.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter

Massive delays Bruce Hwy BLOCKED southbound due to a two truck smash at the Anzac Ave overpass at North Lakes - AVOID
http://t.co/Zfwxu8kSbx



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Twitter

Nine News Brisbane ‏@9NewsBrisbane 43m

Truck collision on Bruce Highway at Mango Hill. Traffic travelling south can expect two hour delays #bnetraffic
http://t.co/cFmeYDDoGD

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Extra lanes to be added to Gateway Motorway between Nudgee and Bracken Ridge

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Gateway upgrade will swallow properties

[Set in train]

Gateway North upgrade is simply a ploy to secure votes in Lilley, Petrie and Longman.

Much prefer to see busway/lanes extended to Loganholme and transit lanes from Eight Mile Plains to Logan Mwy yet scrapped by Beattie in 2001.

I SMS'd 4BC who was talking about it with the same thought, the 'Beattie Choke' needs to be reminded to people.

[HappyTrainGuy]

IMHO the gateway should be upgraded sooner rather than later. During peak hour you can almost if not claim its a large reason for congestion on the northside. Especially on Sandgate road from the Boondall onramp to as far back as Nundah/Toombul. Then everyone rat runs as a means to escape it. With the upgrade in place PT would become more reliable and faster.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Bicycle clearways recommended by Taxi Council

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> Stage two of North South Arterial Road begins to provide easier access to Costco, Bunnings at North Lakes

[ozbob]

Couriermail --> Airportlink tolls rise 20 per cent despite moderate increase in traffic levels

[ozbob]

Car and transit use per capita in Australian cities

--> http://chartingtransport.com/2010/01/08/evidence-of-mode-shift-in-australian-cities-bitre-data/

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 44s

Logan Mwy heavy westbound from Berrinba to Drewvale #bnetraffic http://t.co/08MGdrzzWA

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> State government will install clearways and reduce bumper to bumper crashes near airport

[Jonno]

Couriermail Quest --> State government will install clearways and reduce bumper to bumper crashes near airport

Flogging a dead horse!!!

[ozbob]

Couriermail Quest --> T2 lane at Rothwell closed after report found it ineffective

[red dragin]

Couriermail Quest --> T2 lane at Rothwell closed after report found it ineffective

The few times I travelled through the area, these lanes where difficult to use as a number of streets enter and exit Anzac Ave through them.

The problem now will be the merges at each end where it goes back to two lanes and Qld drivers inability to merge.

[HappyTrainGuy]

Yep! That merge is just gonna be a b*tch of a time heading towards Kippa Ring.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Southern company looks to buy Queensland toll roads

[ozbob]

Sunday Mail --> Queenslanders reveal frustration at state of roads in exclusive Sunday Mail/Seven News poll

[Golliwog]

The Sunday Mail scares me sometimes. Their editorial that they tell you about in the article on the Brisbane Underground, under the heading "Green Light for Tunnel" which they start by giving the current administration a big pat on  the back for doing nothing, and somehow manage to congratulate the Fed's for something in there too (honestly, wtf?), but the editorial ends with the following final paragraph:

While we applaud the vision of the new Brisbane Underground, the road networks need fixing. Education around tolls has failed. A second highway between Brisbane and the Gold Coast is now a necessity.

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Brisbane gets green light to 'turn left on red' trial

[ozbob]

Media Statements
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier
The Honourable Campbell Newman

Deputy Premier, Minister for State Development, Infrastructure and Planning
The Honourable Jeff Seeney

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson

Sunday, November 24, 2013

Toowoomba Ring Road construction under way

Premier Campbell Newman turned the first sod on the vital Toowoomba Ring Road today, kick starting yet another LNP Government election promise.

The Premier said the Victoria Street extension was the final link in Toowoomba's Outer Circulating Road system, and would involve the construction of a new four-lane road to connect Victoria and Russell Streets with Chalk Drive and Ruthven Street.

"Toowoomba is an important and growing regional centre, and through better planning and better infrastructure we will meet the growth challenge that comes with increased traffic," Mr Newman said.

"Construction of a new Toowoomba ring road will better protect the CBD from floods and make it easier to get from one side of the city to the other.

"The Toowoomba Regional Council will receive $45 million and a further $5 million for flood mitigation works on the West Creek Railway Bridge through our Government's landmark Royalties for the Regions program."

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said Labor ignored the infrastructure needs of regional Queensland, and failed to plan properly for the future.

"The LNP has pledged to ensure regional Queensland receives a fair share of the royalties earned from the resources industry," he said.

"That's exactly what we're delivering by funding projects like the Toowoomba ring road and the O'Mara Road upgrade at the Charlton Wellcamp Enterprise Area."

Transport Minister Scott Emerson said the detailed design for the new four-lane road had been completed with the project planned to be constructed and open to traffic by the end of 2014.

"We will transfer under-utilised Queensland Rail freehold land at the Toowoomba rail yards precinct to the council for the ring road.

"Flood mitigation measures include the construction of a three span bridge and widening of the creek channels in the area.

"This important project is one of a range of strategic infrastructure improvements the Newman Government is delivering to improve flood immunity, safety and efficiency of our regional roads."

The current Toowoomba Range safety improvements are well underway and due for completion in April 2014.

The Outer Circulating Road Victoria Street extension project includes:

    A new four lane sub-arterial road extending Victoria Street from Russell Street through Queensland Rail land to connect with the Chalk Drive-Ruthven Street intersection, including a major three span bridge over the West and East creeks;
    An upgrade of the Russell-Victoria Street intersection, including an upgrade of the existing Russell Street drainage structure;
    An upgrade of the Ruthven Street-Chalk Drive intersection and an upgrade of West Creek channel; and
    Widened shoulders for cyclists, and a separate footpath for pedestrians on the new section.

[ENDS] 24 November 2013

[SurfRail]

Quality control is clearly slipping, I didn't see a single boot being sunk into the Labor Party in the above release.

[paulg]

Quality control is clearly slipping, I didn't see a single boot being sunk into the Labor Party in the above release.

Look a bit harder!

Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said Labor ignored the infrastructure needs of regional Queensland, and failed to plan properly for the future.

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 9m

No love on the Bruce Hwy this morning, southbound already a shocker from Narangba #bnetraffic http://t.co/uWhM2v48jJ

[ozbob]

^

Twitter

Robert Dow ‏@Robert_Dow

@Pennycopter Another excellent pic, thanks. We need to get folks back onto public transport // @scottemersonmp

[ozbob]

Brisbanetimes --> Legacy Way tunnel innovations speed-up progress

[ozbob]

http://www.scottemerson.com.au/media/media-releases/423-100-queensland-roads-named-for-review.html

100 Queensland roads named for review

    Created: 04 December 2013

Safety engineers will review 100 Queensland roads from next month to determine whether speed limits should be raised, lowered or kept consistent.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said this was the first major review that has been conducted since 1997 and was part of the Newman Government's commitment to improve safety on our roads.

"The list has been narrowed down to 100 roads – 68 state-controlled and 32 local roads following more than 3300 submissions," Mr Emerson said.

"On almost 70 roads the majority of responses called for an increase in speed limits.

"Expert safety engineers will now conduct inspections to determine what changes need to be made to improve safety and deliver on our commitment to revitalise front line services.

"The review identified roads all over Queensland including the Peak Downs Highway, Warrego Highway, Logan Motorway, Gateway Motorway, Pacific Motorway and a number of sections of the Bruce Highway.

"Roads were prioritised based on frequency of public nominations, crash data, local knowledge and recent maintenance and upgrades."

Mr Emerson said each road will be reviewed in line with Queensland's speed limit setting guidelines with consideration given to traffic, pedestrians and infrastructure.

"The review aims to simplify the speed limit setting process and apply consistent speed limits across Queensland," he said.

The speed limit reviews will be completed by mid 2014 and the results will be published on the Transport and Main Roads website when available.

A list of the 100 roads to be reviewed can be found at www.tmr.qld.gov.au/speedlimitreview

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 3s

Monday mayhem on the Bruce Hwy southbound from Mango Hill #bnetraffic http://t.co/upnEvrzTi3

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 9m

Terrible run on the Logan Mwy westbound from Kingston to Drewvale #bnetraffic http://t.co/xN5dojiTpp

[ozbob]

Twitter

Penny Dahl (Cameron) ‏@Pennycopter 19m

Massive delays behind a truck and car prang on the Gateway northbound through McKenzie #bnetraffic http://t.co/VEg6v4kOzI