News
8 March, 2025
$20M for Highway
THE Brisbane Valley Highway (BVH) is getting an additional $20 million put towards its Safety Upgrades project, with the Federal Government including this new funding in the upcoming 2025/26 budget, set to be announced on March 25.
Works will include dedicated turning lanes at intersections to reduce the risk of rear-end crashes. These works will build on previous state-funded safety improvements, including resealing, shoulder widening, and other safety treatments on the section from the Warrego Highway to Fernvale, upgrades to pedestrian facilities, and pavement strengthening and rehabilitation.
The new funding is on top of the joint funding commitment of $40.5 million between the Australian Government, Queensland Government, and Somerset Regional Council announced in the South East Queensland City Deal.
Somerset Mayor Jason Wendt said council was grateful to see both the State and Federal Government taking strides to upgrade the Brisbane Valley Highway.
“Leading into the 2024 State Elections we advocated for an investment of $84 million over four years,” Cr Wendt said. “Less than a year later, we’re almost 75 percent of the way to this funding goal.
“This funding will enhance road safety, improve surfacing and pavement, and improve the freight and transport links on the Brisbane Valley Highway. We thank our local members for doing their part to secure this funding.”
Federal Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said a further $20 million for the BVH Safety upgrades project would greatly improve safety and connectivity along what is the main artery between the Somerset Region and South East Queensland.
“The Somerset Region is economically dependent on the Brisbane Valley Highway, a major arterial road that carries up to 11,000 vehicles per day,” Mr Neumann said. “The combined funding will deliver improvements aimed at reducing fatalities and injuries along this key freight and commuter corridor.
“There have been too many lives lost to road trauma on the BVH, which is why we are taking action to keep locals safe on our roads and future-proof the highway.”
Somerset Regional Council will undertake planning for four lanes between Warrego Highway and Fernvale, and overtaking lanes in each direction between Fernvale and Esk, Esk and Toogoolawah, Toogoolawah and Harlin, and Harlin and the D’Aguilar Highway intersection. Planning and detailed design work is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with tendering and construction to then follow.
