$92m program targets safety and industry needs the south west

More than $92 million has been allocated over the next two years to deliver improved roads across south western Queensland, as part of a record $11.55 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.

“That’s why this five-year program includes 304 more projects than we announced last year, including 165 new projects on top of those we announced in the State Budget and during the election campaign.”

Mr Lucas said the high level of funding demonstrated the Beattie Government's commitment to improving roads outside the south-east corner.

“These works will improve key freight routes, which are also becoming popular tourism links in the region,” Mr Lucas said.

Some of the important projects to be undertaken over the next two years include:

·Commence widening and upgrading of the Roma-Taroom Road to support oil and gas development and improve regional community access, at a total estimated cost of $30 million [lel1]

·$960,000 to continue upgrading to sealed standard the Cooper Developmental Road between Quilpie and Bundeena

·Ongoing improvements to the Carnarvon Highway between Injune and Rolleston with $7.8 million allocated over the next two years for widening sections of this important link

·Widening a section of the Warrego Highway between Morven and Charleville at a cost of $730,000

·On the Diamantina Developmental Road between Charleville and Quilpie, $4.78 million over the next two years towards an $11 million project for replacement of bridge and approaches over WardRiver and Woolshed Gully

·$327,000 towards ongoing widening on the Mitchell Highway between Barringun and Cunnamulla at a total cost of $979,000

·Ongoing widening on the Diamantina Developmental Road between Quilpie and Windorah at a cost of $1.27 million, and

·Widening projects on the Leichhardt Highway between Taroom and Miles totalling $2.54 million.

Mr Lucas said these projects complemented the recent record budget announcements and would benefit local traffic as well as growing freight and tourism traffic.

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