Industry hub of Gladstone wins big in new roads program

Roads in Gladstone and the Capricornia region will receive $165 million over 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 a record funding boost for the Gladstone and Capricornia region.

“All up, the state and federal governments will spend $165 million in the Gladstone and Capricornia areas over the next two years,” Mr Lucas said.

“More than $60 million is allocated over the next two years to widen, strengthen and resurface 71kms of the Dawson Highway between Gladstone and Banana shires and to replace seven timber bridges.

“The bridges along the Dawson Highway are Double Creek, Deep Creek, Branch Creek, Doughboy Creek, Duckholes Creek, Clovernook Creek and Zamia Creek."

Mr Lucas said some projects would specifically improve road conditions to increase safety.

“In the Gladstone area, $524,000 will widen the existing roadway on the Boyne Island Road up to the Boyne Island Primary School,'' he said.

“On the Dawson Highway, $350,000 has been provided to seal the shoulders on sections between Red Rover Road and the Council boundary.

“We will also provide $1.9 million funding to complete the $2 million project to construct a deviation on the Tableland Road near Essendeen Bends.”

Mr Lucas said councils to receive matching funding for improvements to local roads under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS), prioritised through the Regional Roads Groups, include:

• $35,000 to Calliope Shire Council to help build a pathway on Beltana Drive between Curtis and Malpas Streets and $169,000 to widen sections of Gentle Annie Road
• Gladstone City Council will receive $50,000 to help build stage 3 of Haddock Drive, $326,000 towards constructing 3.5km of Kirkwood Road and a further $100,000 to widen and overlay a section of Don Young Drive between the Dawson Highway and the Callemondah rail crossing
• $283,000 in new funding to help Miriam Vale Shire Council to improve sections of Roundhill Road and Lowmead Road.

“This five-year program reflects a continuing emphasis by the State Government to assist local governments to improve traffic safety on local roads,'' Mr Lucas said.