Moreton Bay Regional Council is working to upgrade Youngs Crossing Road at Joyner where it crosses the North Pine River to improve its flood immunity, safety and vehicle carrying capacity given forecast growth in population, development and traffic volumes.
This important regional road project is being supported by the Australian Government, with $32.75 million being provided through its Urban Congestion Fund program.
With the Youngs Crossing Road transport corridor being a critical link to the South East Queensland road network, this upgrade is one of the biggest road infrastructure projects to be delivered by Council and crucial to transport services within our region.
The project spans more than one kilometre from Protheroe Road to Dayboro Road. The new river crossing involves construction of a 212 metre bridge, located to the west of the current road.
Construction of the new road and bridge is now expected to get under way late 2023/early 2024 and be completed mid to late 2025 (subject to the successful tenderer’s operational schedule).
Recent activities
A broad range of technical studies and investigations have been required to complete the final construction designs and drawings for this large-scale construction project.
During recent months, the project team has been reviewing designs and plans for construction of the new bridge and road, including upgrading of the Dayboro Road intersection.
The designs are the result of many on site investigations and technical reviews, as well as feedback and direction provided by the Department of Transport and Main Roads
Given the size and scope of the construction works, it’s been an evolving process that has also required some additional stages of planning and design.
The project team has appreciated the community’s patience and understanding while this complex work has progressed.
The final construction drawings are now complete with the successful construction contractor due to be appointed in second half of 2023.
More information about construction timings and activities will be provided in advance of any site works.
The project layouts and features can now be viewed below.
Project alignment and key benefits
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Project alignment and key features
- Protheroe Road signalised intersection to increase safety and assist traffic flows
- Access to Youngs Crossing Park will be maintained via a four-way signalised intersection
- U-turn capability to assist Pony Club access via Youngs Crossing Road
- Lookout platform
- Existing Youngs Crossing will remain open to pedestrians/cyclists and link to Merv Ewart Reserve via new path under bridge
- Consideration of fauna poles and rope canopies to assist fauna movement
- Opportunity to retain the two large fig trees at the waterhole
- Koala exclusion fencing to restrict road access
- Piers and piles designed to minimise hydraulic impacts to Sideling Creek, Pine Rivers Pony Club and Dayboro Road
- New Pine Rivers Pony Club entry
- Improved culvert crossing at Sideling Creek to enhance water and fish movement
- With the new bridge running west of the existing roadway, construction work can largely occur offline in stages, minimising disruptions, alterations and temporary works
- Extensive landscaping and tree planting along new alignment (areas shaded green)
- Upgrade to Dayboro Road intersection to a improve safety and traffic flow.
Project design
Next steps
The land acquisition stage is currently underway and once completed the project will move to the next stage.
The project will also require the relocation of some essential utility services, including water, sewer, telecommunication and electricity. During detailed design, the location and condition of impacted services were investigated and assessed.
At this stage, the relocation of some electricity infrastructure is expected to occur mid to late 2023. More details will be provided once dates and locations are confirmed with the service authority and the project team will continue to liaise closely with any affected properties.
It is expected Youngs Crossing Road and Dayboro Road will remain open to traffic during service relocation works and road users are reminded to observe any traffic directions and signage along the route.
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Minimising environmental impacts
The significance of koala populations and native flora and fauna in and around the project area are key considerations for Council and the community.
To achieve the best outcome, Council is working to reduce impacts as much as possible. Specialist environmental consultants have been engaged to assess the impacts and advise mitigation measures.
This project will affect some areas of environmental significance, mostly through the clearing of vegetation to accommodate the new bridge and its roadway. However, for every tree removed, five new trees will be planted strategically along the alignment and in surrounding areas to provide safer habitats, as well as enhanced corridors and connectivity for fauna.
Environmental impacts and cultural heritage assessments will be managed in line with Commonwealth and State legislation in addition to Council’s environment management framework.
Project funding
Over $68 million has been committed to deliver the upgrade to this important regional transport corridor, with the Federal Government contributing $32.75 million.
The State Government is also investing $350,000 to progress planning for Dayboro Road. The Department of Transport and Main Roads (DTMR) is currently undertaking a study to develop a 20-year vision for the development of Dayboro Road between the Gympie Road and Youngs Crossing Road intersections. For more information visit DTMR Dayboro Road link study.
Project background information
Youngs Crossing Road is an important north-south arterial road connecting the Moreton Bay Region with Brisbane City.
The road is used by approximately 20,000 vehicles every day, and traffic is forecast to increase to 22,500 vehicles by 2026 and 27,500 vehicles by 2036.
Council has been progressively upgrading sections of Youngs Crossing Road to four lanes to cater for this growth.
Council began preliminary planning and design work in late 2019 to upgrade the road where it crosses the North Pine River at Youngs Crossing.
Youngs Crossing Road has low flood immunity and since 2010 has closed an average of 4.5 days a year following rain events and water releases from North Pine Dam, causing delays, congestion on local roads and economic impacts.
In 2021, weather events caused Youngs Crossing Road to close:
- almost 2.5 days in March
- 28 hours straight in April
- 40 hours continuously from 30 November
- 39 hours over another three days in December.
In 2022, the road was closed for:
- 18 hours on 1 January
- 27 hours from 8 January
- 14 hours on 21 January
- 20 hours from 3 February
- More than 13 days straight in March
- More than 12 days in a row in May
In 2020 Council developed concept designs for two proposed upgrade options as part of the project’s early planning and design stage and sought community feedback on these options:
Option 1 – Youngs Crossing Road existing alignment
Option 2 – Andrew Petrie Drive alignment
Council received over 4,300 responses, with 66 per cent of respondents supporting Option 1.
Council made a formal decision to select the Youngs Crossing Road alignment at the General Meeting held on the 12 November 2020(PDF, 4MB).