Major Paradise Road Upgrade Underway

A major upgrade of a key southern corridor is in full swing, with construction underway on an $18.5 million project to boost safety and improve flood immunity along Paradise Road at Larapinta.

Brisbane Lord Mayor Graham Quirk said Council was getting on with the job of delivering more 90 congestion busting projects across the city, with Paradise Road now undergoing realignment works as part of the project.

“Council has invested around $10 million into the project which is jointly-funded by the Australian Government, and will widen and realign the stretch of road between Gardens Drive and Radius Drive to improve safety along the accident-prone stretch,” Cr Quirk said.

“This section of Paradise Road currently features long straights that lead into tight curves which have contributed to serious safety issues.

“Eighteen accidents have occurred along the stretch over a five-year period, with one resulting in loss of life and five hospitalisations. Half of these accidents were caused by heavy vehicles overturning.

“Council is widening the 2.2km stretch, including the lanes in both directions, increasing the width of the sealed road shoulders, and providing a 5.5m clear zone from the edge of the traffic lanes.”

“This project will also ensure the road is more resilient to flooding, with a complete replacement of the road pavement with a more durable surface.

“Existing culvert crossings and side drains will also be upgraded to improve drainage in the area.”

Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said the project would ensure a safer and more efficient journey for motorists, providing for Brisbane’s road network. 

“The Australian Government has provided more than $8 million through its Roads to Recovery Programme, which is delivering more than $3 billion from 2014-15 to 2018-19 to improve road infrastructure across the country,” Minister Fletcher said.

“This project will not only benefit the local community, but the thousands of motorists who rely on Paradise Road for their daily travels, particular the industrial sector.

“Paradise Road connects to the Logan Motorway which carries more than 6,000 vehicles each day.

“This road is heavily utilised by neighbouring industrial precincts, with commercial vehicles making up 12 per cent of daily traffic.”

In order to complete the project, Paradise Road between Gardens Drive and Radius Drive will be closed throughout construction.

Council has been working closely with the community to ensure residents and businesses are informed of the closures, detour signage has been installed to assist motorists.

A detour map is also available via Council’s website: www.brisbane.qld.gov.au. 

The project is expected to be completed early next year, weather permitting.