Big boost for Capricornia roads

Central Queensland's Capricornia and Gladstone areas will receive $165 million for roads 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 Capricornia and Gladstone areas of Central Queensland.

"All up, the state and federal governments will provide a total of $165 million for roads in Capricornia and Gladstone areas over the next two years," Mr Lucas said.

Major projects to be funded in these areas this financial year and in 2007-08 include:

$8.6 million to complete the construction of the $26 million Yeppoon Western Bypass and Tanby Road – an important boost to the continuing growth and prosperity of the CapricornCoast
$4.09 million towards widening the existing pavement on the Westwood-Taroom stretch of the Leichhardt Highway, north of Dawson Park Road
$5.7 million to widen the pavement from the DawsonRiver to 12 Mile Creek
$6.36 million to widen the section of the Burnett Highway between Biloela and MountMorgan, with $2.58 million provided to widen 9.6km north of Biloela and $3.78 million at Don River south
$1.05 million has been allocated to improve and widen 2km of the Gavial-Gracemere Road between Washpool Creek and Breakspear Street
$1 million to start work to widen and overlay a section between Tungamull Creek and Cobb and Co Road, at a total cost of $2.2million

Projects under the Safer Road Sooner program in the Capricornia and Gladstone areas of Central Queensland region as part of a targeted road safety initiative to target black spots on state-controlled roads include.

$2 million to put in overtaking lanes at priority intersections between Mulgoodoo and Tungamull on the Rockhampton-Emu Park Road
$2 million over two years for the construction of overtaking lanes on the Rockhampton – Yeppoon Road, between Makays Road and Doboola Road.

Capital financial assistance grants to be provided to Councils for local road upgrades under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) program include:

$55,000 to Fitzroy Shire Council for the sealing of Glenroy Road and $14,000 towards building Stage 2 of the Bouldercombe School Bikeway
$417, 000 to Livingstone Shire Council for a number of projects including sealing, realignment and new culverts on Artillery Road, new culverts on Canal Creek Road, and the replacement of the timber bridge at Perkins’ Gully
A further $255,000 will be given to Livingstone Shire Council in 2007-08 to form and pave a section of Canal Creek Road, as well as for the safety improvement works and construction of a roundabout on Tanby Road
$442,000 to Mount Morgan Shire Council for the upgrading of two intersections on Hall Street South, the intersection at Staunton/Gilmore/Central streets, the rehabilitation and widening of Byrnes Parade, and the upgrade of the Hall Street South/Millican Street/Lyons Street intersection
$1.2 million to Rockhampton City Council for the improvement of the Norman Road and Farm Street intersection, construction of a bridge over Scrubby Creek on Fairybower Road, completion of the Moores Creek Road upgrade to four lanes and the construction of car parking at Mount Archer State School, construction of a section of Nine Mile Road to a two-lane sealed standard and the building of a shared footpath and bikeway at Farm Street between Chappell and Alexandra Streets.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942