Springfield Greenbank Arterial Archives

Massive Road Project Enhances Connectivity in Springfield Central

The expansion of Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial is significantly enhancing the daily commutes of more than 20,000 residents and visitors in Springfield Central, ensuring smoother traffic flow and safer travel.

This multi-stage initiative prioritises the needs of a rapidly growing population while navigating the challenges of preserving sensitive ecological areas and accommodating the area’s bustling activity.

Completed Stage 1

The $85-million Stage 1 of the project, completed in late 2023, has already delivered significant improvements to the local road network. This phase saw the widening of Springfield Parkway from Hymba Yumba Independent School to Centenary Highway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial from Springfield Parkway to Eden Station Drive, transforming them into four-lane thoroughfares.

Other key enhancements included:

Upgrading the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial roundabout to a signalised intersection will facilitate pedestrian movements and provide a U-turn facility.
Constructing dedicated two-metre cycle lanes in both directions.
Installing a three-metre-wide shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.
Erecting a retaining wall near the Escarpment estate on Springfield Parkway.
Duplicating the bridge over Opossum Creek.

The new lanes on Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial are already managing over 20,000 vehicles per weekday, significantly improving traffic flow and safety for the growing Springfield community.

Stage 2: Design Phase

With Stage 1 complete, the focus shifts to Stage 2, which is currently in the design phase. This stage will encompass the following:

Widening Springfield Parkway from Topaz Road to just north of Hymba Yumba Independent School, duplicating it from two to four lanes.
Upgrading the roundabout at Springfield Parkway/Topaz Road/Woodcrest Way to a signalised intersection.
Widening and line-marking the Springfield College Drive and Bridgewater Road approaches to the roundabout on Springfield Parkway to allow for two lanes of traffic.
Constructing dedicated two-metre cycle lanes in both directions.
Installing a three-metre-wide shared pathway for pedestrians and cyclists.

Early works for Stage 2 commenced in December 2023 with a 3.6m trench extension beside Hymba Yumba Independent School. Constructing effective stormwater drainage networks whilst maintaining the current system during Queensland’s storm season has been a significant challenge.

The project team is committed to ensuring the highest-quality innovative network is constructed across the project and adjacent to the school whilst preserving sensitive ecological areas.

Once the culvert works are complete, Stage 2 will commence in 2024-2025, including the duplication of Springfield Parkway from Topaz Road, connecting to Stage 1 just past the Bridgewater Road roundabout.

Stage 3: Under Construction

Stage 3 of the project is already underway, focusing on the following:

Widening Springfield Greenbank Arterial from Eden Station Drive to Sinnathamby Boulevard to include a total of four lanes.
Upgrading the roundabout at Springfield Greenbank Arterial/Main Street/Centenary Highway Exit 32 off-ramp to a signalised intersection.
Creating new entry and exit points at the existing Springfield Central train station carpark.
Constructing dedicated two-metre cycle lanes in both directions.
Installing shared pathways for pedestrians and cyclists.

Significant rainfall and storm activity over the past few months have impacted vegetation and landscaping along Stage 3, including the flooding of Mountain Creek. The team is working to restore damaged plants and maintain weeding and mowing within the construction corridor. Despite the weather challenges, crews have progressed with electrical work, stormwater drainage networks, and new Park’n’Ride entry pavements.

Sustainability has been a key focus for the team, utilising existing materials and implementing innovative environmental controls. Core logs were used in the bottom of the rock barrier to minimise silt washing onto the pavement and into drainage and waterways, a key environmental management feature across Stage 3.

Springfield Central — *Photos Credit: IpswichCityCouncil*

Constructing in a busy activity centre with major shopping, business, education, and public transport facilities has presented numerous challenges, especially considering the high volume of people passing through Stage 3 daily.

In parallel with Stage 3, the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has commenced works to reconfigure and reopen the Queensland Rail carpark east of Springfield Central station. The carpark, located at the southern end of the Brisbane Lions facility, will remain closed during construction activities. Weather and construction conditions permitting, work is expected to be complete by mid-2024.

The works required to reopen the carpark include installing new asphalt, concreting edging, new lighting, and line marking. TMR has engaged BMD Construction, the same contractor undertaking Stage 3, for this project. When reopened, the eastern carpark will complement the existing parking facilities within the Springfield Central train station precinct, including the multi-storey park ‘n’ ride facility opened in April 2022.

Published 7-May-2024

6-Month Closure of Exit 32 Set to Transform Springfield Greenbank Arterial

A significant six-month closure of Exit 32 off-ramp, which connects the Centenary Motorway southbound to the Springfield Greenbank Arterial (SGA), will soon be in effect as part of a transformative upgrade project.

Starting 8:00 p.m. on 21 Aug 2023, Exit 32 will not be accessible to all traffic for up to six months. During this period, motorists are advised to follow the designated detour route via the Centenary Motorway Exit 33 off-ramp and to factor in additional travel time when planning their journeys.

The existing two-lane off-ramp is being expanded into a four-lane configuration, accompanied by the conversion of the current roundabout into a major intersection. These changes are expected to streamline traffic flow and enhance connectivity for motorists.

Exit 32 Springfield Greenbank Arterial — Photo Credit: Department Of Transport & Main Roads

This decision, aimed at expediting construction, improving safety, and reducing disturbances during the process, marks a crucial phase in the ongoing development of the region’s transportation infrastructure. Whilst the closure may bring inconveniences, the long-term benefits of an upgraded off-ramp and intersection are anticipated to outweigh the temporary challenges.

Local residents and businesses in the vicinity of the construction zone are advised to expect increased noise and dust levels as a result of the ongoing works. Despite these effects, the Ipswich City Council remains committed to the project’s positive impact on the local transportation network and the overall community.

The Ipswich community is encouraged to stay updated on the project’s developments, adhere to traffic control measures, and observe guidance provided by signage and traffic controllers for a smooth and safe commute.

Managed by the Ipswich City Council in partnership with Transport and Main Roads Queensland, the project has received $6.5 million in funding from the Queensland Government.

Jordan MP Charis Mullen expressed her satisfaction with the advancement of the project. The transformed intersection is poised to provide more efficient access for drivers traveling in various directions along the SGA, and will facilitate safer crossings to Main Street and the Orion shopping center.

For further information and inquiries regarding the construction project, concerned individuals can contact the Ipswich City Council Project Team via email at capitalprojects@ipswich.qld.gov.au or by phone at 07 3810 6666, available from 8:00 am to 4:30 pm.

Published 16-Aug-2023

First Traffic Switch For Springfield Greenbank Arterial Widening Project

The road widening project for Springfield Greenbank Arterial has reached a significant milestone, with motorists able to drive on the additional lanes for the first time in January 2023.

Read: $10-Million Kerb and Channel Program for Ipswich Suburbs to Go Ahead for 3 Years

Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Chair Ipswich Mayor Teresa Harding said that starting 23 January 2023, vehicles travelling along Springfield Greenbank Arterial, from Eden Station Drive towards Springfield Parkway, will be switched over to the new road alignment.

From having only two lanes, the Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial are being expanded to four lanes, to assist in supporting efficient transport for Springfield and the city’s eastern corridor’s growing population.

Mayor Harding reminded that the traffic switch will result in a temporary closure of the intersection of Escarpment Drive at Springfield Greenbank Arterial for approximately four months.

“Access into Escarpment Drive estate for all road users will be via Springfield Parkway, and there will be staged switching of pedestrian and shared pathways over the coming months,” Mayor Harding said.

Growth, Infrastructure and Waste Committee Deputy Chairperson and Division 2 Councillor Paul Tully said there will be further closures on these entrances and exits throughout the year.

“Traffic switches will also occur next month along Springfield Parkway from Springfield Lakes Boulevard towards the Springfield Parkway roundabout, and from the roundabout to past Hymba Yumba Independent School,” Cr Tully said.

Cr Tully added that as part of Stage 1 of the project, the first traffic switch will allow more efficient refurbishment of existing traffic lanes and shared pathways along the arterial and the driveways of Hymba Yumba.

The Springfield Parkway and Springfield Greenbank Arterial roundabout will also be upgraded to a signalised intersection. The traffic signals will accommodate pedestrian movements and include a u-turn facility.

Read: Springfield Lakes Property Market Carry On With its Fast-Paced Growth

To learn more about the project, visit Council’s Civic Projects Map or call (07) 3810 6666.

Springfield Greenbank Arterial Project: Major Road Duplication to Prioritise Stage 3

Key roads in the Springfield region will undergo major upgrades in 2021 under the Springfield Greenbank Arterial (SGA) Duplication project. Work will start with Stage 3, which covers Eden Station Drive to Sinnathamby Boulevard.

According to MP Charis Mullen, the Ipswich City Council decided to change the SGA sequencing to start with Stage 3 “given the other major projects in the area.”

“This was in a letter sent to residents recently,” Ms Mullen said.

Stage 3’s key features include the following:

Road widening to four lanes
Springfield Greenbank Arterial/Main Street/Centenary Highway roundabout upgraded with signalised intersection
New entrance/exit at the Springfield Central Railway Station carpark
Construction of road cycle lanes for cyclists and pedestrians

The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) plans to erect a multi-storey carpark at the Main Street intersection before the roadwork begins.

This Springfield Greenbank Arterial project is necessary to meet the travel demands that will come with city’s rapid growth.

“The overall project includes 3.9 km of road duplication and shared path upgrades. The project is set to be the largest single road project in the Council’s history,” the fact sheet stated. “With such a large capital cost to the Council, if delivered in a single year, the project would consume over half of the typical capital works budget. By spreading the costs across a number of stages, the project can be delivered over multiple years, and allows for Council to continue to deliver its usual portfolio of new roads, road rehabilitation, open space, drainage and facilities project.”

The timing of construction will still be determined but it is approximated to take 12 months to complete.

For questions about the Springfield Greenbank Arterial project, phone 07 3810 6666 or email IED.Projects@ipswich.qld.gov.au.