Work starts on Mackay’s Joint Levee Road

Work has started this week on the $14.2 million Joint Levee Road project to build a new route for heavy vehicles to the port of Mackay.

Minister for Main Roads Warren Pitt announced the start of construction, and said the project would improve traffic conditions in Mackay, including on busy Malcomson Street.

"The Joint Levee Road project is the best solution to the problems of traffic congestion in the area," Mr Pitt said.

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin welcomed the road works.

"It will ultimately halve the traffic travelling along Mackay's local roads, as well as removing the majority of heavy vehicles from Malcomson Street,” Mr Mulherin said.

"By the end of 2009 heavy trucks will be diverting along the new 1.3km route, which will run from Sam's Road through to the Kooyong intersection (Barnes Creek Road), cutting their travel times to the harbour by about 20 per cent,” he said.

Mr Mulherin said the dual-purpose project would also help flood proof North Mackay, which is often flooded during heavy rain.

"The levee banks will form the final section of the Pioneer River Improvements Trust's North Mackay levee system," he said.

"The Pioneer River has a long history of flooding, with documented evidence of floods going back to 1884.

"Construction of this new section of levee – which the Pioneer River Improvement Trust has agreed to put $1.65 million towards – will help keep the river from breaking its banks in the future.

"The levee banks and road will be constructed in three separate stages, with settlement periods between each to help the earthworks to compact."

Stage 1 of the construction started this week, and involves forming the first half of the embankment. This will be left to settle for about four months, before Stage 2 of the embankment begins. During these stages, the ground will be built up by 2.5 metres.

Basic Construction Services has been contracted to construct the first stage of the project, due to finish in April 2008.

Consultation with the community in 2005 found the Joint Levee Road was the preferred option to solve traffic problems in the area.

The new road will also allow for a future upgrade of Malcomson Street, which is on hold until the alternative route can be constructed.

Media contact: Minister’s office 3227 8819