Published Friday, 06 March, 1998 at 12:00 AM
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Vaughan Johnson
MINISTER OPENS MISSING LINK' ON PIALBA-BURRUM HEADS ROAD
Mr Johnson officially opened the roadworks, between Toogoom Road and O'Regan Creek, during an on-site ceremony this morning.
The project, worth $1.6 million, involved a 4km deviation along the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road that completed a missing link' between Hervey Bay and Burrum Heads.
"The section replaces part of a council-controlled, residential access road through Toogoom, improving access to and from the Burrum Heads community.
"This project offers relief to Toogoom residents by allowing through traffic the opportunity to avoid residential streets, making the area safer for motorists and children," said Mr Johnson.
"Also, the new link means quicker travel times for road users, providing significant enefits in terms of time savings, cheaper travel costs and improved development opportunities.
"But more importantly, emergency services will save vital seconds in responding to call-outs, which could make big differences in life-and-death situations."
Mr Johnson said the project honoured a commitment by the State Government to improve the road network in the rapidly growing Hervey Bay area.
"This State Coalition Government is committed to developing Queensland's road network so that it provides safe travelling conditions and contributes to the economic and social prosperity of all Queenslanders.
"The completion of this missing link' between Toogoom Road and O'Regan Creek is testimony to that commitment," Mr Johnson said.
"The new deviation, commencing almost 12km from Pialba, will improve traffic safety by providing motorists with a much higher standard of road with two, 3.5 metre traffic lanes and sealed one-metre-wide shoulders," he said.
Mr Johnson praised Hervey Bay City Council's workers, who completed the project after winning the tender in open competition with private enterprise.