$443 million windfall for Far North Queensland roads

$443 million will be spend on roads in Far North Queensland 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.

“Almost 2,500 road projects, including 99 which are new to the program, will 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 would continue to drive infrastructure for the motorists of the Far North.

“All up, the state and federal governments will provide a total of more than $249 million for Far North Queensland road projects over the next two years,” he said.

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

·$10.8 million towards widening sections of the Kennedy Highway, south of Mt Garnet, at a total estimated cost of $14 million

·$12.3 million towards widening Mulgrave Road in Cairns between

Ray Jones Drive (Woree) and the Captain Cook Highway - Sheridan Street - from four to six lanes, at a total estimated cost of $16 million.

·$2.5 million to continue safety improvements on the Captain Cook Highway between Cairns and Port Douglas, including shoulder sealing on winding sections. The state government's ongoing investment, averaging $1 million a year, since 1998, has seen accident rates on this section greatly reduced.

·$10.5 million to continue improvements on the Peninsula Developmental Road, primarily between Coen and Weipa, particularly extending bitumen seal. By the end of 2007, the length of sealed road will have increased to 106.2km – largely through state-funded projects. The state government has spent $75 million on upgrading and maintenance works over the last seven years.

·$3.2 million for the next stage of upgrading for the Caravonica roundabout at the intersection of Cairns Western Arterial Road/Captain Cook Highway roundabout.

·$6.8 million to construct a new Endeavour River Bridge, on the Endeavour Valley Road, at a total estimated cost of $7 million.

·$44.3 million worth 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.