Upgrade
In 2003, planning for an upgrade of the entire road began. The road was identified in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program as one requiring urgent attention. An upgrade was needed to improve safety and relieve traffic congestion.
With the Federal Government funding provided, the upgrades were completed from the Centenary Motorway interchange to the Logan Motorway interchange.
The upgrade from four lanes to six between Wacol and Darra was one of the Australian Labor Party's key 2007 federal election promises. The upgrade included widening the Ipswich Motorway from four to six lanes, transformation of the Centenary Highway Interchange to a free-flowing multi level system interchange and work on adjoining service roads that aims to reduce traffic on the motorway by up to 20%. The Federal government has contributed a total of $3.1 billionn for the upgrade. The Wacol to Darra section of the motorway was officially opened on 18 April 2010.
The eight kilometres upgrade of the Ipswich Motorway between Dinmore and Goodna started in mid 2009. It was completed in 2012 and officially opened on 15 May 2012. The A$1.95 billion project funded by the Australian Government is delivered by the Origin Alliance consisting of the Department of Transport and Main Roads, Abigroup, Seymour Whyte, Fulton Hogan, SMEC and Parsons Brinckerhoff.
The final section to be upgraded is a 7 km stretch between Darra and Rocklea with its planning finalised in 2011.
The proposed Goodna Bypass or Northern Bypass of the western section of the M2 was cancelled following the 2007 elections. This 7 km section of new Motorway would have taken traffic from the Warrego and Cunningham Highways to the Logan Motorway interchange including four crossings of the Brisbane River.
Read more about this topic: Ipswich Motorway