Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive), University Road to Bowen Road bridge (Idalia), improve safety

The Queensland Government has upgraded Townsville Connection Road to improve safety, traffic flow, and connectivity between University Road and Bowen Road bridge at Idalia.

The upgrade involved duplicating Townsville Connection Road to 4 lanes, and improving key intersections to support safer, more efficient travel.

Works included upgrades at 3 intersections:

Gartrell Drive
Mervyn Crossman Drive/Fairfield Waters Drive
Kokoda Street.

This section of the road carries around 24,000 vehicles each day and services a rapidly growing residential and commercial area. The upgrade responds to increased traffic demand and improves access for all road users.

Benefits

Improves safety
Increases capacity
Improves network efficiency
Increases traffic flow
Reduces peak hour congestion
Better road access
Accessibility
Better active transport

Key features

Upgraded Townsville Connection Road to 4 lanes between University Road and Bowen Road bridge.
The roundabout at Mervyn Crossman Drive and Fairfield Waters Drive replaced with a signalised intersection.
Signalised intersections at Gartrell Drive and Kokoda Street to improve safety and side street access.
Improved walking and bike riding facilities, including wider shared paths, better connections, and safer crossing points.

Funding

This project was fully funded by the Queensland Government. Investment ID 1810128

Total investment: ^$96 million

Queensland Government: ^$96 million

Current status

Construction was completed in February 2026 and the upgraded road is now open.

Stakeholder engagement was undertaken throughout design and construction to minimise project impacts and keep the community informed.

Project timeline

August 2022: Detailed design completed.
December 2022: Early works started, including property resumptions and public utility relocations.
December 2023: Major construction commenced.
February 2026: Construction completed.

Townsville Connection Road (Idalia), University Road to Bowen Road Bridge, improve safety project map — The Townsville Connection Road has been upgraded to dual lanes between University Road and Bowen Road bridge.

Townsville Connection Road completed project images

Aerial view of Stuart Drive and Gartrell Drive intersection in Townsville. — Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive) and Gartrell Drive intersection.

Aerial view of the Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive), Mervyn Crossman Drive and Fairfield Waters Drive constructed intersection. — Townsville Connection Road (Stuart Drive), Mervyn Crossman Drive and Fairfield Waters Drive constructed intersection.

Flythrough video

Video Transcript

Flythrough aerial video depicting the planned changes for the Townsville Connection Road. Video starts by heading east on Stuart Drive, while highlighting the new jointly funded shared pathways from University Drive to the Fairfield Central shopping centre. The video then shows the duplication of Stuart Drive to four lanes between University Road and Bowen Road Bridge, and the upgrade of Gartrell Drive to a signalised intersection, including a new dedicated access to the Townsville Cycle Club. The video continues along Stuart Drive and highlights the major upgrade at the Mervyn Crossman Drive, Stuart Drive and Fairfield Waters Drive intersection. This intersection which will change from a roundabout to a signalised intersection, the service road exit out of the Fairfield Waters shopping complex will be closed, and two new bus stops will be installed on Stuart Drive. The video continues east and highlights the upgrades of the Kokoda Street intersection to a signalised intersection. The video also showcases pedestrian infrastructure and bicycle lane upgrades along Stuart Drive, between University Road and Bowen Road Bridge. The video then highlights the Bowen Road Bridge duplication project, which includes a new dual lane inbound bridge next to the existing bridge, with active transport infrastructure underneath the bridge and two new U-turn lanes near Viles Street intersection.