Work starts on Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 upgrade

Work has started on Mackay and Whitsunday’s largest ever road infrastructure project with the first sod officially turned on the Mackay Ring Road project.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester said the Bruce Highway through Mackay was a critical commuter, freight and tourist route, and this upgrade would improve travel times by 14 per cent by avoiding 13 kilometres of low-speed urban roadway.

“The Australian Government’s $397.9 million contribution to this project, which will reduce congestion, efficiency, and road safety issues, is part of a 10-year commitment to upgrade the Bruce Highway,” Mr Chester said.

“The Mackay Ring Road project will improve safety for motorists and freight traffic while supporting an estimated 534 direct jobs over the life of the project.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the Mackay Ring Road would deliver 11.3 kilometres of new road, including the first 2.6 kilometres of the Walkerston Bypass.

“In addition, 13 new bridges will be built, including major bridge crossings on the Pioneer River and Fursden Creek, two major overpasses for the Peak Downs Highway and North Coast Rail Line,” Mr Bailey said.

“Seven minor overpasses of existing local roads and cane rail will also be built and the new Pioneer River crossing will have 100-year flood immunity.”

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the project would provide a huge boost to the Mackay economy over the next three years.

“I know that CPB Contractors, who won the bid to construct the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1, are very keen to engage with the local suppliers, subcontractors and workers in Mackay,” Mr Christensen said.

“This is a massive infrastructure project for our region and we can look forward to the flow-on effects of business dollars and job opportunities for a number of years.”

Member for Mirani Jim Pearce said project works included the construction of a two-lane rural highway with connections at Stockroute Road, the Peak Downs Highway and the Bruce Highway north.

“Vehicles using the ring road will avoid 10 sets of traffic lights between Stockroute Road and Bald Hill Road with 80km/h and 100km/h speed limits,” Mr Pearce said.

“The upgrade once finished, scheduled in early 2020, will not only increase safety and reduce accidents but also cater for the region’s predicted 50 per cent growth in cross-river traffic by 2031.”

Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said the Mackay Ring Road Supply Chain Development Program delivered in partnership with the Department of State Development, has been a great success.

“Through this program local suppliers have been put in touch with the main contractor which means locals a directly benefitting from this project,” Ms Gilbert said.

“Once completed, the project will reduce congestion on local roads, especially Nebo Road, and reduce the number of hazardous loads travelling through the city centre.”

The Australian Government is committing $397.9 million and the Queensland Government committing $99.4 million to the Mackay Ring Road project.

Media Contact for Mr Bailey, Zoe Russell, 0428 079 640