State Government continues investment in North West Queensland roads

North West Queensland will receive $146 million for the next two years as part of a record $11.55 billion roads program for Queensland.

The latest Roads Implementation Program, launched by Premier Peter Beattie and Transport and Main Roads Minister Paul Lucas, boosts roads spending in Queensland by more than $1 billion over the next five years.

Mr Lucas said a record $11.55 billion would be spent on the state’s roads from 2006-07 to 2010-11 – a $1.05 billion or 10% increase on the previous five-year program.

The program details almost 2500 road projects that will be constructed around the state over the next five years.

“We are committed to delivering the projects that make our roads safer and help meet the needs of a growing state,” Mr Lucas said.

Mr Lucas said the program continued the investment in roads for North Queensland.

“All up, the state and federal governments will provide a total of $146 million for roads in north westQueensland over the next two years,” Mr Lucas said.

“Highlights of the two-year allocation include $34.9 million for the Burke Developmental Road, $21 million to continue widening the Flinders Highway between west of Charters Towers and Cloncurry, $5.5 million for sealing work on the Wills Developmental Road and $2 million for the Kennedy Developmental Road between Winton and The Lynd.”

Mr Lucas said $22.5 million was allocated over the next two years, to complete a $28 million project to upgrade a section of the Burke Developmental Road, between Cloncurry and Normanton.

Mr Lucas said the project was an important investment in improving safety and boosting access on the section of the Burke Developmental Road between Cloncurry and the Three Ways' intersection, south of the Burke and Wills Roadhouse.

“The project will eliminate the single-lane bitumen which makes up two-thirds of this 180km section, upgrading the road to more than twice its current width – some 8 metres – to provide two lanes and sealed shoulders.”

Mr Lucas said the section of the Burke Developmental Road closer to Normanton also has received a total of $6 million, for widening work south of Normanton and to upgrade a floodway north of Normanton, at Deadman's Gully.

“Work on the floodway will be carried out in 2007-08,” he said

“A further $800,000 has been allocated to upgrade the unsealed section of the road between Normanton and Dimbulah.”

Mr Lucas also announced that construction would begin in 2007-08 on a new bridge over the GilbertRiver, to be completed in 2008-09.

“More than $4 million has been provided over the next two years, towards this $10 million project.”

“The existing narrow 6.1m-wide bridge will be replaced with a wider, two-lane concrete structure, which will last longer in the harsh environment in the area.”

Mr Lucas said the state government was continuing its commitment to North West Queensland's major east-west freight and passenger route, the Flinders Highway.

“The Flinders Highway has been declared part of the AusLink National Road Network, in recognition of its role as a strategic route that contributes to the national economy,” he said.

“However, apart from a commitment to upgrade to allow extension of higher mass limits on this link, all improvements are being funded by the state government.

“The state's $21 million for ongoing widening projects over the next two years will add to gains already made in safety for all road users, improved travelling conditions and better freight access which is vital to the region's economy.

“The funding includes almost $16.9 million of widening projects to be carried out on the section between ChartersTowers and Hughenden.”

Mr Lucas said sealing work would be carried out on the Wills Developmental Road between Gregory Downs and Burketown, in Burke Shire.

“On the Kennedy Developmental Road, there's $1.4 million to continue widening work on the section between Winton and Hughenden,” he said.

“There's also $500,000 for sealing work on the Hughenden to The Lynd section, as part of a strategy to progressively seal between Hughenden and Porcupine Gorge, to improve access to this tourist attraction.”

Mr Lucas said there was $600,000 for ongoing work to progressively upgrade the Gregory Downs to Camooweal Road and $710,000 for sealing work on the Cloncurry-Dajarra Road.

He said the State Government was also providing subsidies in 2006-07 and 2007-08 worth $8.5 million for a range of projects to help councils to upgrade their local roads to improve access for remote communities and for local industries.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942