Safety improvement works on Barkly Highway

A $3.1 million project to improve safety on four Barkly Highway intersections has begun this week as part of a fast-tracked $140 million road safety and road network renewal works package.

Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the safety improvements are being made to the intersections at Gardenia Street, Northridge Road, Milne Bay Road and Diamantina Developmental Road (Railway Avenue).

“Around 10 Queensland jobs will be supported over the life of these improvements, which will benefit those travelling between Mount Isa’s city centre and the airport,” he said.

Mr Bailey said work was also continuing on the construction of two overtaking lanes on the Barkly Highway between Mount Isa and Camooweal.

“The $3 million project would provide safer opportunities to overtake slower vehicles such as road trains,” he said.

“Safety will be further improved by a wide centre-line treatment, which will reduce the risk of head-on collisions by increasing the distance between oncoming traffic.

“This project will provide around 9 Queensland jobs which is expected to be completed by the end of June, helping support the local economy.”

Mr Bailey thanked people for their patience during the works and encouraged them to plan their trips by visiting www.qldtraffic.com.au or call 13 19 40 for the latest road conditions.

ENDS

Media contact:       Zoe Russell - 0428 079 640