Safer speed limits for the Ipswich city centre
27 April 2023
Ipswich City Council and the Department of Transport and Main Roads are reducing speed limits in the Ipswich city centre to create safer journeys for motorists, bike riders and pedestrians.
Transport and Main Roads will reduce speed limits from 60km/h to 40km/h along the Ipswich-Cunningham Highway Connection Road (Brisbane Street, Limestone Street and East Street) and Ipswich-Warrego Highway Connection Road (East Street).
At the same time, Ipswich City Council will also lower the speed limits from 60km/h and 50km/h to 40km/h on key council-controlled streets within the city centre.
“Ipswich’s city centre has grown steadily in recent years, with more people enjoying our cafes, restaurants, boutique shops and attractions,” Ipswich City Council Chief Executive Officer Sonia Cooper said.
“Lowering speed limits on key streets in the city centre in partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is a sensible and welcome move to improve safety for our most vulnerable road users.
“The reduction is in line with the State’s commitment to support local governments delivering on safety and accessibility for vulnerable road users, which aligns with council’s plans and strategies such as the iGO City of Ipswich Transport Plan, our Active Transport Action Plan, and our Road Safety Action Plan.”
Transport and Main Roads Metropolitan Region Acting Regional Director Paul Stenhouse said the department was working closely with the council on the collective project to reduce speed limits due to the high level of pedestrian activity in the Ipswich city centre.
“This speed limit reduction will improve safety for pedestrians and for all road users,” Mr Stenhouse said.
"TMR will be reducing speed limits on the State-controlled roads in the Ipswich city centre from 50km/h to 40km/h.
“The locations are East Street, from Churchill Street to the Olga Street and Mansfield Place intersection, Ipswich, and on Limestone Street and Brisbane Street between East Street and Gordon Street.
"This recommendation has been endorsed by the local Speed Management Committee which includes representatives from Queensland Police Service, Ipswich City Council, and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
"The Queensland Government's priority of keeping communities safe means we're delivering solutions on high-risk roads across Queensland.”
Work is expected to start from Sunday 7 May 2023, and is expected to be completed over three nights, weather and construction conditions permitting, from 7pm to 5am, Sunday to Thursday nights.
Night works are required for road user safety and to avoid what would otherwise be extensive traffic queuing and disruption to the road network.
Works will include replacement of the speed limit signs being done in sections and the placement of variable message board signage to provide advance notice of the speed limit reduction.
TMR will also be undertaking a speed reduction in Yamanto. In May 2022, a Speed Limit Review was completed for Ipswich–Cunningham Connection Road for the 14.9 kilometre section between River Road and Cunningham Highway, Dinmore to Yamanto.
The speed reduction will be from 70km/h to 60km/h on Warwick Road, between Pisasale Drive and the Cunningham Highway in Yamanto.
To find out more, please contact the project team at MetropolitanRegion@tmr.qld.gov.au or call 3066 4338, during business hours.