[5] The road was identified in the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program as one requiring urgent attention.
The upgrade from four lanes to six between Wacol and Darra was one of the Australian Labor Party's key 2007 federal election promises.
[7] The upgrade included widening the Ipswich Motorway from four to six lanes, transformation of the Centenary Highway Interchange to a free-flowing multi level system interchange and work on adjoining service roads that aims to reduce traffic on the motorway by up to 20%.
[6] The Wacol to Darra section of the motorway was officially opened on 18 April 2010.
[9] The A$1.95 billion project funded by the Australian Government is delivered by the Origin Alliance consisting of the Department of Transport & Main Roads, Abigroup, Seymour Whyte, Fulton Hogan, SMEC and Parsons Brinckerhoff.
[10] The final section to be upgraded is a 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) stretch between Darra and Rocklea with its planning finalised in 2011.