Work has commenced on the $400m Ipswich Motorway project in South East Queensland, Australia.

A key step in the construction phase involves closure of the Donaldson Road exit ramp to build a service road connection over the Oxley Creek floodplain on the motorway’s northern side.

The Australian and Queensland governments have each provided $200m to fund the upgrade’s Rocklea to Darra–Stage 1 work.

Construction work will be carried out by Queensland-based Bielby Hull Albem Joint Venture, with work slated to be wrapped up by late 2020. The project is anticipated to lead to the creation of 470 jobs during the construction phase.

Queensland premier and member for Inala Annastacia Palaszczuk said: “The Ipswich Motorway is an important part of our national freight network, linking surrounding areas to Brisbane and the intermodal freight terminal at Acacia Ridge.

“The predicted industrial, commercial and residential growth in the western corridor means we must ensure the motorway meets the increasing traffic demand.”

Federal minister for urban infrastructure Paul Fletcher added: “Upgrading this section of the motorway from four to six lanes will improve safety and travel times for over 85,000 motorists, including 12,000 commercial vehicles, who use this stretch of the Ipswich Motorway each and every day.”