$345 million on roads for Bundaberg and Wide Bay

Roads in the Bundaberg and Wide Bay region will receive a $345 million boost as part a record $13.3 billion program for Queensland.

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

“Almost 2,500 road projects are included in the program, of which 99 are new additions, to be built statewide over the next five years.

"The funding boost is even more substantial 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 that the Roads Implementation Program included $33.9 million over the 2007-08 and the 2008-09 financial years to significantly progress the Bundaberg Ring Road project.

“This key project will significantly reduce congestion and cut travel times on Bundaberg streets,” Mr Lucas said.

“While it’s the region’s biggest project, it is by no means the only one.

“All up, the Queensland and Australian governments will provide a total of almost $152 million on Bundaberg and Wide Bay road projects over the next two years,” Mr Lucas said.

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

• $21.9 million to continue upgrading two sections of the Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road to four lanes, as part of an ongoing program to upgrade three sections of the road at a total cost of $25.6 million.
• $8.9 million worth of subsidies to assist local government upgrade and maintain council roads, under the state government's Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS)
• Continuation of works to upgrade various intersections in Bundaberg to improve safety and relieve congestion, including $3.58 million to complete the installation of traffic signals at Kingsford Street / Gahans Road and Lievesley Street on the Bundaberg to Bargara Road
• $2.7 million to construct the approach road on the Wide Bay Highway at Fat Hen Creek.

Media Contact: Darren Roberts 3237 1947 / 0448 184566