Transurban has announced that the Queensland Government has approved its US$512 million Logan Enhancement Project. The project is the first private sector proposal to be assessed and approved under the Queensland Government’s Market-Led Proposal process.

The project will see the delivery of major upgrades to parts of the Logan and Gateway Extension motorways, including the elimination of key congestion points and the addition of new south-facing ramps at Compton Road. Transurban CEO Scott Charlton said the original concept design had been expanded to include increased scope and enhancements that were driven by community and stakeholder feedback.

Transurban estimates the project will generate 1,300 direct construction jobs, and more than US$1.3 billion in economic benefits. Transurban Queensland will fund the upgrades through toll increases for heavy vehicles (Class 4) on the Logan and Gateway motorways, specifically:

• At construction completion, the Class 4 toll will move to 3 times the Class 2 toll (up from 2.65 times) with an additional 2.5 per cent price increase to the multiplier.
• After construction completion, the Class 4 toll multiplier will escalate by 2.5 per cent annually for five consecutive periods.
• base tolls will continue to escalate in line with CPI as per the concession agreement.
• the new south-facing ramps at Compton Road will be tolled at the same rate as the current Kuraby toll point

Transurban Queensland will donate up-to US$2 million to develop a community complex adjacent to the Logan motorway at Heathwood.

CPB Contractors, the CIMIC Group's construction company, has been awarded the contract to take the project into detailed design and construction.

The majority of the works will be completed off the mainline carriageway and impacts to traffic during the delivery period will managed by Transurban to minimise disruption. Transurban Queensland expects to reach financial close on the project in mid-December 2016. Construction completion is currently scheduled for mid-2019.

Mr Charlton said:

“This design will address current constraints on the Logan and Gateway Extension motorways while also accommodating growth in the area – particularly from the fast growing freight and logistics industry south of Brisbane.”

“This initiative forms part of Transurban Queensland’s commitment to giving back to the communities in which we operate.”