Wide Bay wins $128 million roadwork boost

Wide Bay will receive more than $128 million for improved 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.

“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 State Government continued to work to improve the vital WideBay region to enhance safety and comfort for growing local, transport and tourist traffic.

"This funding builds on major project allocations for a ring road and intersection improvements in Bundaberg and further improvements on the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road,'' he said.

Other projects scheduled to be undertaken over the next two years included:

• Replacement of the Two Mile Oakey Creek bridge on Gooroolba-Biggenden Road, at a cost of $800,000 over two years
• $1.3 million towards a $2.8 million project to realign a section of the Bundaberg-Lowmead Road
• $684, 000 towards a $1.215 million project for bridge replacement at Harkness Boundary Creek No 2 on the Burnett Highway
• Major improvements to sections of the Burnett Highway between Goomeri and Gayndah costing $600,000
• $1.3 million of improvements to the intersection of the Burnett Highway and Bunya Highway between Nanango and Goomeri.

Mr Lucas said these projects complemented the recent budget announcements and represented record roads expenditure state-wide.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942