A MAJOR $35.5 million upgrade of Kinross Rd has broken ground in Thornlands, with Redland City Council conceding the long-awaited project has taken longer than residents expected.
Construction is underway on the section between Boundary Rd and East Ridge St, delivering three new roundabouts and widening Kinross Rd to four lanes at the Boundary Rd intersection.
The project will also include cycle lanes, footpaths, four new bus stops, LED lighting, boulevard landscaping, stormwater improvements and dedicated wildlife-protection measures.
Division 7 Councillor Rowanne McKenzie said residents had every reason to expect the upgrade sooner.
“In an ideal infrastructure delivery process, this upgrade would have been constructed earlier to meet the expectations of residents,” Cr McKenzie said.
“However, with fragmented landownership, each landowner developing at different times and those developments beginning at the back of the estate instead of the entrance, the project has taken longer than residents anticipated.
“With the last major landowner submitting applications to proceed with their developments, planning for the Kinross Rd upgrade began.”
Council said detailed planning began in 2025, requiring design work, engineering investigations, land acquisitions and approvals before construction could begin.
The construction contract was awarded in June 2026, allowing work to begin in July.
Cr McKenzie said the works would make a practical difference for motorists, pedestrians and cyclists.
“We know our residents value being able to get around their communities smoothly, safely and efficiently, and that is exactly what these works are designed to achieve as the estate continues to grow,” she said.
“The improvements don’t stop at an upgrade to the intersection and the installation of roundabouts – they also include new lighting, landscaping, bus stops, cycle lanes, footpaths and fauna protection measures.”
Kinross Rd will remain open during construction, although residents should expect reduced speed limits, intermittent lane closures, temporary traffic changes, noise and dust.
The project is expected to be completed in late 2027, subject to weather and site conditions.
Residents with enquiries can contact Redland City Council on 3829 8999 or email rcc@redland.qld.gov.au.
