$686 million for Northern roads

$686 million will be spent on roads in the Townsville area over the next five years as part of a record $13.3 billion road building program across Queensland.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Paul Lucas, today launched the latest five-year Roads Implementation Program, which delivers a massive $1.75 billion, or 15% increase on last year.

“The program details almost 2,500 road projects, including 99 new projects, to be built statewide over the next five years.

"The funding boost is even more impressive when you compare the estimated expenditure over the next five years with spending over the past five years.

“It’s a total increase of $5.3 billion over five years, or 67 per cent to keep Queensland moving and booming,'' Mr Lucas said.

“We are committed to delivering the projects that make our roads safer and help meet the needs of a growing state.”

Mr Lucas said the Beattie Government's program continued to deliver for Townsville motorists.

“All up, the state and federal governments will provide a total of more than $467 million for road projects in the Townsville area over the next two years.

“This compares with $81 million in the two-year plan that was in place when the Beattie Government came to power in 1998,” Mr Lucas said

Key projects funded this financial year and the 2008-09 financial year include:

·$85.26 million towards stages 2 and 3 of the Townsville Ring Road, with a total estimated cost of $119.3 million ($39.8m provided by Queensland Government, $79.5 million provided by the Federal Government)

• $101.5 million to improve flood immunity on the Bruce Highway between Corduroy Creek and Banyan Creek, south of Tully, at a total estimated cost of $172.8 million.

·$25.33 million towards duplication of North Ward Road in Townsville - between William Street and Ingham Road and between Walker Street and Heatley Parade, at a total estimated cost of $33.8 million.

·$29 million towards progressive widening of the Gregory Developmental Road, both north and south of Charters Towers, to provide two lanes with sealed shoulders. This is in addition to $35 million invested in the road in the past five years.

· $21 million for duplication of Hervey's Range Road between Blackhawk Boulevard and Bohle River, and then between Bohle River and the future connection with the Ring Road, at a total estimated cost of $23 million.

·$2.37 million towards design work for the Townsville Port Access project, as part of the state government's $14.7 million contribution to date. The Queensland Government will seek a 50% contribution from the Federal Government for the projects total cost.

·$9.8 million of subsidies to assist local government upgrade and maintain council roads, under the state government's Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947 / 0448 184566