Redland City Council will spend $20 million on capital road projects throughout 2013-14 – including an increased focus on resurfacing local roads.

Redland City Mayor Karen Williams said the roads program announced in today’s (June 27) 2013-14 Redland City Council Budget, would lay the foundations for the future of the city.

“An extra 45,000 residents are expected to call the Redlands home over the next 20 years, so it is important our local road network is able to safely and effectively transport people throughout the city,” she said.

“The 2013-14 Budget significantly increases expenditure for roads resealing and surfacing as well as several safety upgrades to key local roads and intersections.
“Residents have told us roads and road safety are key concerns to them. We have listened, and we have responded, as a good Council should.”

Infrastructure spokesman Cr Murray Elliott, (Division 7), said many of the city’s roads had been built 30-40 years ago and were now nearing the end of their useful lives.
“Council has developed a 10-year program to upgrade roads across the city,” he said.

Cr Elliott said an 82 per cent increase for resurfacing works to $7.5 million and $2 million for pavement rehabilitation were significant, particularly given the external economic challenges the Council faced in framing its Budget.

“Everyone hates potholes,” he said. “Our Budget looks after the assets we have and will keep them in good working order. It delivers a program that will ensure we have a safe, efficient and effective road network and that our city continues to develop.”
The key road projects include a $1.4 million roundabout at the Nelson and Main Road intersection, Wellington Point and a $1.5 million project on King Street, Thornlands.

The island communities will also benefit from the upgrades, particularly given Council’s $2 million commitment to roads on the Southern Moreton Bay Islands.
Coochiemudlo Islanders will benefit from a $400,000 upgrade of Merindah Street.

Key capital road projects for 2013-14:

• $7.5 million – Resurfacing works across the City
• $2 million – Pavement rehabilitation across the City
• $1.5 million – Roundabout at intersection of King Street and Baythorn Drive (Thornlands)
• $1.4 million – Roundabout at intersection of Nelson and Main roads (Wellington Point)
• $2 million – Southern Moreton Bay Islands roads upgrades
• $600,000 – Salisbury Street (Redland Bay) kerb and channel
• $600,000 – Fitzroy Street (Cleveland) kerb and channel
• $550,000 – Queen/Wellington streets (Cleveland) road upgrade
• $400,000 – Merindah Street (Coochiemudlo Island) road upgrade
• $389,000 – Wellington/McCartney streets (Ormiston) kerb and channel
• $312,000 – Four safe school travel (SafeST) initiatives at Birkdale State School, Bayview State School (Thornlands), Redland Bay State School and Star of the Sea School (Cleveland)
• $60,000 – Weippin Street (Cleveland) pedestrian refuge
• $50,000 – Bloomfield Street (Cleveland) pedestrian improvements
• $35,000 – Rosewood Street (Birkdale) intersection upgrade