Work is starting this week on the long-awaited connection from one of the Coast’s fastest-growing housing estates to the Bruce Highway.
The road will link Harmony at Palmview with the national highway after the State Government facilitated a solution.
It came after years of complaints from residents who were forced to drive the long way to access the highway.
The booming estate currently only has one way in and out which caused stress during recent flooding as water lapped the entry at Peter Crosby Way.
The agreed works will include a future Southern Road Link connection to Racecourse Road as well as the connection to the Bruce Highway from Palmview and are expected to be completed in mid-2023.
AVID General Manager Queensland Bruce Harper said it was a great outcome made possible through detailed planning and negotiations alongside the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
“This has been a long, incredibly complex but necessary process that ultimately allows Palmview landowners to deliver the best traffic network outcome for the growing local community, including our residents at Harmony,” Mr Harper said.
“We know that the process has taken longer than people would have liked but the negotiations were complex and the time was needed to achieve the best possible outcome between all parties.”
Many residents said they bought homes in Harmony on the promise of direct access to the Bruce Highway but were forced to live with a “dirt track” for emergency vehicles and tradespeople.
A petition circulated on Charge.org pleaded for the highway connection, which had been promised for years, to be fast-tracked.
“In terms of accessibility and convenience, it takes approximately 15 minutes for those of us at the back of the estate to the Bruce Highway, which adds considerable time for those of us who work in Brisbane,” said Kristen Rose.
“In addition, the sheer amount of homes sold and moved into are making the traffic delays far longer than before the COVID boom.
“As an example, for myself working in the North Lakes region, it adds an extra half hour to the commute every day.
“More importantly though, if there is an emergency such as a medical emergency, police situation or fire, there is only one entrance and exit in and out of the estate.”
Mr Harper expressed his “deep gratitude” to main roads and Minister Mark Bailey for their “support through this process, and their dedication to delivering on a community enhancing infrastructure outcome”.
“AVID has always maintained its commitment to delivering this road network for the community, including the residents of our community at Harmony and we are delighted to see the negotiations concluded and are thrilled to be starting work,” he said.
The Bruce Highway is one of four roads planned to connect Palmview to the wider community.
The first connection, Peter Crosby Way was completed in 2017 and, following the delivery of the Bruce Highway connection, AVID will in the future construct a two-lane Southern Road link followed by a connection to Springhill Drive in Sippy Downs.
“Delivering a road network that not only enhances the community of today but accommodates a rapidly growing region for years to come was a real priority for all parties, so we are pleased to ensure that outcome is realised,” Mr Harper said.
The Bruce Highway connection from Palmview is expected to be complete by mid-2023.
