State Government continues to upgrade inland route to improve post-cyclone access in North Queensland

The State Government is injecting another $40 million into an important inland route between Cairns and Townsville that provides alternative access during post-cyclone flooding in North Queensland.

The announcement comes in the lead up to the 2006 Cyclone Summit Living with cyclones – Queensland prepared to be hosted by Premier Peter Beattie at James Cook University, Cairns this Thursday and Friday.

Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Minister Desley Boyle said several State-funded roads played an important role in providing access during flooding closures of the Bruce Highway, the Federally-funded national road network in North Queensland.

"After Cyclones Larry and Monica, the State-funded inland route – via Hervey's Range Developmental Road, Gregory Developmental Road, Kennedy Highway and Palmerston Highway – reopened to traffic before the Bruce Highway reopened," Ms Boyle said.

Ms Boyle said the State Government had been progressively upgrading the inland route, with a $40 million upgrade of Hervey's Range Developmental Road completed last year.

"The road was fully sealed and new bridges built," Ms Boyle said.

"We're now providing another $40 million worth of funding over the next two years, with almost $20 million each for the Gregory Developmental Road and Kennedy Highway, to continue widening work."

The Gregory Developmental Road extends north and south of Charters Towers, with the funding covering the section in North Queensland from Belyando Crossing in the south, to The Lynd in the north.

Hervey's Range Road extends west of Townsville, and intersects with the Gregory Developmental Road, which then links with the Kennedy Highway at The Lynd, to provide a north-south inland route to Cairns.

"By linking Cairns and Townsville, the inland route provides access to the city's seaports, airports and other facilities, and to the Bruce Highway south of Townsville, to allow for relief efforts," Ms Boyle said.

Ms Boyle said a series of widening projects would be carried out on the Gregory Developmental Road over the next two years, both north and south of Charters Towers.

"On the Kennedy Highway upgrade, work began in August this year, with the full upgrade expected to be completed by the end of June 2008.

"The upgrade will see single-lane sections widened to two lanes with sealed shoulders, extending south of Mt Garnet to the intersection with the Gulf Developmental Road, known locally as the Three Ways and also as Forty Mile Scrub."

Ms Boyle said the State Government was also helping to upgrade the Federally-funded coast route, by delivering a project on the Bruce Highway south of Tully.

"Main Roads has carried out the complex planning study needed for this project and design work is now being carried out, in preparation for construction to start in mid-2007, after the wet season.

"The project should be finished by the end of 2009, depending on the severity of wet seasons during construction."

The Federal Government has provided $128 million for the project, which will reduce the severity and frequency of flooding closures on this 15.5km section.

It is currently the most flood-prone section between Cairns and Townsville and hampered relief efforts after Cyclones Larry and Monica.

Media inquiries: Robert Hoge 3237 1942