Massive boost for Mackay and Whitsunday roads

The Palaszczuk Government has announced it will deliver one of the largest road projects programs in Queensland in the Mackay and the Whitsundays region.

Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Bailey who is visiting Mackay said the $1.2 billion allocated to the region under the Queensland Transport and Road Infrastructure Program (QTRIP), would improve safety and boost the local economy.

“These works will sustain 986 direct jobs throughout the delivery of the four-year program, which is great news for the Mackay region,” Mr Bailey said.

“This massive investment into Mackay and the Whitsundays will help continue major road projects, some of which are jointly funded by the Queensland and Australian Government’s, such as the $57.5 million upgrade to Sandy Gully Bridge and approaches and the $189 million Eton Range Realignment.

“It also includes the design and construction of the $560 million Mackay Ring Road Stage 1, which in itself will support 603 jobs over the life of the project.

“Funding will also be allocated to several overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway to improve the safety and efficiency of the national highway.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said $464 million over four years would go towards projects on the state network such as Mackay Slade Point Road and the Vines Creek Bridges Replacement project.

“The Vines Creek Bridges Replacement project which has been brought forward under our Accelerated Works Program will receive $26.8 million over the next four years,” Mrs Gilbert said.

“These significant investments into the region’s road network show that the Palaszczuk Government is seriously committed to the future growth and sustainability of Mackay and surrounding areas.”

Member for Mirani Jim Pearce said the funding will also go towards bridge replacements on the Peak Downs Highway with work expected to begin in September, weather permitting.

“The timber bridge replacements on the Peak Downs Highway will receive $68.2 million over the next four years to help improve the efficiency and resilience of this major freight route,” he said.

“Roads in the local government areas of Isaac, Mackay and the Whitsundays will also share in $14 million of QTRIP funding over the next four years.”

Other funding highlights in the QTRIP for Mackay and the Whitsundays over the next four years, delivered in partnership with the Australian Government include:

• $10.6 million to upgrade the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Sarina Coast Road
• $4.5 million to complete the construction of a roundabout at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Hay Point Road
• $553.9 million for Stage 1 of the Mackay Ring Road
• $78.4 million for the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade on the Bruce Highway
• $51.7 million to upgrade Sandy Gully Bridge and approaches on the Bruce Highway north of Bowen
• $165 million to continue safety works on the Peak Downs Highway at Eton Range which involves widening, a split carriageway and partial realignment of the existing range.

The Mackay and Whitsundays roads project program is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s overall planned spending of $20 billion for roads and transport projects in Queensland over four years.

ENDS

Media Contacts:       

Zoe Russell     0428 079 640