Yeppoon bypasses heavy traffic problems

Trucks are about to be removed from the Yeppoon CBD with a crucial road bypass entering its final stages.

Inner-city streets will be handed back to motorists within weeks when work is complete on the final $16 million link in the Yeppoon Western Bypass.

Transport and Roads Minister Paul Lucas visited the bypass site today with Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan to inspect work which began yesterday on widening and resurfacing the last 3.5 kilometres.

Minister Lucas said motorists would reclaim CBD roads by the end of July when the Woodbury Road section is finished.

“This is the final link in the two-lane bypass and connects up to sections already complete at Adelaide Park Road and Byfield Road to reduce thru-traffic in Yeppoon.”

“It not only guarantees a safer, less-congested road network by ensuring fewer trucks on local roads, but also means streets will be more efficient and user-friendly,” Mr Lucas said.

“Significant time savings and better travel routes for locals are expected with easier access to Rockhampton for people in the north – plus overall travel reductions of up to 15 to 20 minutes.”

Mr Hoolihan said the Yeppoon Western Bypass would not only address current growing pains in the local road network, but also some traffic pressure in the future.

“Traffic congestion is not a huge problem in Yeppoon at the moment, but as the population increases and the forestry industry grows there will be more vehicles using our roads.”

“This latest road project will essentially help Yeppoon ‘bypass’ some major traffic problems these issues could have presented – which means a better roads now and into the future,” Mr Hoolihan said.

“It’s also yet another State Government project which separates trucks and local cars – as trucks that use the pineapple loading facility will be taken away from the CBD when it is relocated to the western outskirts.”

Mr Hoolihan said the final touches on the Yeppoon Western Bypass intersection with Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road are also currently underway, and an additional $5.2 million in work is to be completed on the bypass by the end of the year.

“Extra safety work on Woodbury Road will commence in July as well as upgrades to the intersection at Bungundarra Road and the removal of sharp curves south of the Byfield Road.”

“These weren’t meant to be completed for sometime under our Roads Implementation Program (RIP) and aren’t a part of our election promise – yet they will be completed by the end of the year,” Mr Hoolihan said.

“This is proof that we’re getting on with the job of building better roads for all Queenslanders and this fast-tracking will ensure increased road safety and also take advantage of road crews currently working on the bypass.”

Mayor of Livingstone Shire Bill Ludwig, who handled the difficult process of acquiring land for this important project to ensure it is delivered as quickly as possible, said it is a huge boost to the road network.

“I’m very impressed to see how far the bypass has come since signing the construction agreement with the State Government in May 2005 and the bypass is a vital connection for the area not only for business but also for tourism.”

“We’re working together to improve the road infrastructure to make it even easier for visitors to experience the visual appeal of our own unique slice of the Central Queensland coast and for locals to access the CBD,” Mr Ludwig said.

Media Contact: Roanne Johnson 3237 1145 / 0401 669 276