Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the $1 billion Urban Congestion Fund would be put to work in East Brisbane, upgrading roads and fixing trouble spots in the area.

“Better roads get us all home faster. They make it easier to commute, easier to do business and easier to live in our cities,” the Prime Minister said.

“Throughout Queensland and Australia, we are building roads and tackling trouble spots so you can get home sooner and safer.

“Getting stuck in traffic means you miss dinner with loved ones, or you can’t help the kids with homework, I want to give that time back to hardworking families.”

The congestion busting projects form part of a $244 million package of works which is being announced across South East Queensland this week.

Panorama Drive and Wellington Street in Thornlands and Cleveland will see $15 million put towards upgrading three intersections.

Federal Member for Bowman, Andrew Laming, said the upgrades would unclog nearby roads and improve safety in the area.

“For two State elections, the LNP has committed to the duplication of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road, with Labor refusing,” Mr Laming said.

“It is clear Labor refuses to invest in this City, and that is why we are investing. By working with Redland City Council to upgrade Wellington Street, we will ensure safe access to the hospital via Weippin Street and provide a high quality north south arterial that directly connects Wellington Point down to Redland Bay.”

The Morrison Government is also spending $12 million to upgrade the Newnham Road and Wecker Road intersection in Mount Gravatt, which is listed as one of the top five worst intersections in the state.

The Newnham Road and Wecker Road intersection has been the site of seven serious crashes and nine serious casualties between 2014 and 2017.

Federal Member for Bonner, Ross Vasta, said he had heard from several people who had witnessed or been involved in near misses and crashes at the intersection.

“Hundreds of commuters go through here every day and students pass through on the way to Mt Gravatt East State School,” Mr Vasta said.

“Over 1500 people signed my community petition to fix the intersection, which is an amazing result. Thanks to their support, the Liberal and Nationals Government has agreed to fully fund an upgrade for the intersection that will save lives and get people home sooner and safer.”

An additional $6 million will be spent on safety improvements at the intersection of Rickert Road and Chelsea Road in Ransome.

Minister for Cities, Urban Infrastructure and Population Alan Tudge said estimates put the cost of congestion in Australia’s capital cities at $25 billion per year in 2017-18, projected to increase to $40 billion per year by 2030.

“The Urban Congestion Fund will deliver a more reliable road network for commuters and freight, and support critical access to employment centres and freight hubs,” Minister Tudge said.

“This is as much about hitting those local traffic headaches as it is about the major highways and providing a safer journey home for motorists.”

The new local congestion busting infrastructure projects complement an existing $7.2 billion investment by the Morrison Government into major urban infrastructure projects in South East Queensland.

This includes Bruce Highway upgrades; the Brisbane Metro; M1 Pacific Motorway upgrades; the Ipswich Motorway upgrade between Rocklea and Darra; Cunningham Highway upgrade; Gold Coast Light Rail Stage 3A; Gateway Upgrade North; Beerburrum to Nambour Rail Line upgrade; and Toowoomba Second Range Crossing.

Source: The Australian Department of Infrastructure, Regional Development and Cities