REDLANDS MP Kim Richards has asked the federal government for money in the next budget to upgrade Cleveland-Redland Bay Road.
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In a letter to Bowman MP Andrew Laming, Ms Richards said the federal member had claimed the road to be the worst in the Redlands.
"...I am calling on you to work collaboratively with the state government and Redland City Council and commit funding to the upgrade of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road in this financial year 2019-20," she said.
In a letter to Redland mayor Karen Williams, Ms Richards asked the council to also request the federal government to commit funding.
Ms Richards said she would also lobby the state government.
In her letter to Mr Laming, Ms Richards said he and LNP colleagues had claimed Cleveland-Redland Bay Road to be the region's number one road priority but proposed work elsewhere.
She said it would have been a surprise to most people when Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced that $15 million would go to Wellington Street and Panorama Drive and $6 million for the Rickertt Road/Chelsea Road intersection.
Ms Richards said Redlands had suffered for too long from poor planning with development out of step with infrastructure.
Cr Williams said she would not get involved in an argument over funding for the road.
"Somebody has just lost their life on that road, their family is still grieving and the last thing they need is politicians arguing over who should fund a road upgrade." she said.
"Nobody cares who funds it, they just want it fixed."
Cr Williams said she had lobbied both levels of government and political persuasions for better transport including an upgrade to the road and was happy to repeat that call.
"This project will need everyone to work together rather than playing politics," she said.
"I have previously offered to work with the state on an innovative solution to funding the upgrade and I stand ready to assist."
Mr Laming said in a letter to the Redlands electorate office that he expected the state LNP would promise for a third time to duplicate Cleveland-Redland Bay Road at the next election.
"They won't be grovelling for federal resources," he said. "Make it bipartisan and just get on with your job of maintaining your roads."
Mr Laming said there was no mechanism for Canberra to start funding state government road network.
"We know it simply creates the moral hazard for your government to cease doing its job," Mr Laming said, adding that Redland Hospital funding issues were an example.
He said the state government inflated quotes to minimise its contribution and the cost of upgrading the hospital car park was an example.
Mr Laming said he had offered money to the state to upgrade the Shore Street West roundabout at Cleveland.
"Those funds were gift-wrapped for your government but in the end were returned to Canberra unopened," he said.
Ms Richards' call comes as tenders are sought for designs for a $5 million upgrade of the intersection of Cleveland-Redland Bay Road and Anita Street.
"The upgrade will signalise the intersection, improving safety and reducing delays during peak times for motorists entering and exiting the intersection," Ms Richards said.
"School children and locals also currently cross the road to access nearby bus stops, which is why pedestrian safety is also a major focus of the upgrade with signalised crossings to be installed.
