WORK TO START ON NEW BRIDGES IN $119M ROADS PROJECT: PREMIER
Published Thursday, 16 August, 2007 at 08:54 AM
JOINT STATEMENT
Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Peter Beattie
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Paul Lucas
Premier Peter Beattie today announced the next stage of the $119 million Townsville Ring Road project was about to get underway with work to start on two new bridges over the Bohle River and Little Bohle River.
Mr Beattie said the work, which included driving 35-metre piles into the ground, was on track to start in September.
“These piles have started being delivered so work can start in earnest on the new 200-metre long, 8-span bridge over Bohle River and the 90-metre, 5-span bridge over the Little Bohle,” he said.
“The multi-million dollar project is backed by State and federal funding and is on track for completion by the end of next year.
“The community is no doubt looking forward to the benefits this project will bring by providing a more direct link to the Bruce Highway north of Townsville, via Shaw Road.
“The Ring Road also means traffic not destined for Townsville can bypass the city's urban areas.
“It will also provide a more direct route for many suburbs to access major facilities such as the Townsville Hospital, James Cook University and Lavarack Army base.”
The State is contributing $39.5 million and Commonwealth is providing $79.5 million.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said recently completed work on the project which began in April included a seven-metre high embankment for the southern approach to the Hervey Range Road/Ring Road intersection.
“More than 100,000 cubic metres of locally excavated material has been used to build the embankment and one for the northern approaches,” Mr Lucas said.
“Bridge piles have been driven on the southern approach for the Hervey Range Road/Ring Road overpass.”
When completed, the Ring Road extension will cover 7km, linking the Douglas Arterial at Riverway Drive to Hervey Range Road, and extend to Shaw Road.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Transport Minister’s Office – 3237 1942
Mr Beattie said the work, which included driving 35-metre piles into the ground, was on track to start in September.
“These piles have started being delivered so work can start in earnest on the new 200-metre long, 8-span bridge over Bohle River and the 90-metre, 5-span bridge over the Little Bohle,” he said.
“The multi-million dollar project is backed by State and federal funding and is on track for completion by the end of next year.
“The community is no doubt looking forward to the benefits this project will bring by providing a more direct link to the Bruce Highway north of Townsville, via Shaw Road.
“The Ring Road also means traffic not destined for Townsville can bypass the city's urban areas.
“It will also provide a more direct route for many suburbs to access major facilities such as the Townsville Hospital, James Cook University and Lavarack Army base.”
The State is contributing $39.5 million and Commonwealth is providing $79.5 million.
Transport Minister Paul Lucas said recently completed work on the project which began in April included a seven-metre high embankment for the southern approach to the Hervey Range Road/Ring Road intersection.
“More than 100,000 cubic metres of locally excavated material has been used to build the embankment and one for the northern approaches,” Mr Lucas said.
“Bridge piles have been driven on the southern approach for the Hervey Range Road/Ring Road overpass.”
When completed, the Ring Road extension will cover 7km, linking the Douglas Arterial at Riverway Drive to Hervey Range Road, and extend to Shaw Road.
Media Contacts: Premier’s Office – 3224 4500
Transport Minister’s Office – 3237 1942