First stage of Bundaberg ring road gets underway

Work will start soon on stage one of the $92 million Bundaberg ring road project, designed to route heavy transport vehicles out of the city area.

The ring road will also reduce travel times for motorists heading from east to west of the city and ease congestion in city streets.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today removing heavy vehicles from Bundaberg's city area would improve safety and mean less noise and pollution.

"Bellero Constructions has won a $30.3 million contract for stage one, with work starting soon and ending by February 2009," Mr Pitt said.

"Stage one will involve full construction of 7.4 km of a new 10m-wide bitumen sealed road connecting Goodwood Road and Bargara Road.

"This will include construction of two single-span bridges over an irrigation channel and two three-span bridges over Bundaberg Creek.

"Stage two, expected to start in mid-2008, will connect Goodwood Road and the Isis Highway.

"Three intersections with traffic signals will also be constructed and intersections upgraded at various locations.''

Mr Pitt said the completed ring road project would follow a new 14.3km route from the Isis Highway to Bargara Road via Von Deest Street and include a bridge over the North Coast rail line near Goodwood Road.

"The route will follow Lovers Walk and Greathead Road, before crossing over FE Walker Street to Bargara Road near the Gahans Road junction,'' he said.

The Bundaberg ring road is expected to be open to traffic by December 2009. It is funded under the Rural and Regional Road Funding Initiative.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819