STAGE one of the proposed $31 million Panorama Drive/Wellington Street four lane upgrade received unanimous support in council this week.
Works between Boundary Road and South Street is the first stage of a three stage program that is expected to take 10 years to complete and valued at $90 million.
Funding of $15 million for stage one is expected to come from a federal government commitment with other money coming from developer contributions collected for infrastructure works and held in reserve.
The upgrade to the main north-south connection route will benefit motorists by alleviating peak hour congestion, improve journey times and improve drivers and cyclists safety.
Mayor Karen Williams said the project would benefit from federal government funding for intersection upgrades at Ziegenfusz Road/Panorama Drive, Panorama Drive/Wellington Street and Wellington Street/Weippin Street.
"Construction of the first stage is expected to start in 2021 and be completed in 2023 and create upwards of 140 jobs.
"While subject to further council approvals, subsequent stages are expected to occur over the next decade and duplicate Wellington Street all the way to Russell Street in Cleveland," she said.
Bowman MP Andrew Laming said he was grateful that councillors found a way to accelerate the four-laning of Redlands second north/south arterial.
"This was a key corridor for moving from northern to southern Redlands without congesting Cleveland. The road serves a number of schools, Redland Hospital and allows larger vehicles to access the Enterprise Street industrial area. It is also vital for the further development of the Boundary/Panorama commercial centre," he said.
Mr Laming said the first phase of the upgrade would be relocation of services rather than extra lanes.
Cr Williams said traffic disruptions during the work were expected to be minimal.
"Fortunately, much of the work will allow for the existing road to continue to carry traffic, while the new lanes are constructed on the adjacent road reserve," she said.
Cr Williams said stage two was likely to see duplication of Wellington Street between South and Bay streets take place from 2024 to 2027, with stage three through to Russell Street then expected between 2027 and 2030.
