Minister inspects upgrades to Hervey Bay and Maryborough roads

Local roads will be on the agenda when Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt visits various road projects throughout Hervey Bay and Maryborough today.

Mr Pitt will be in the area today to get a first-hand look at local projects as well as to inspect construction on Hervey Bay’s Boat Harbour Drive.

Mr Pitt said the visit was a valuable opportunity to see the progress being made on improving road infrastructure in regional Queensland communities.

“The Queensland Government is heavily focused on building and upgrading roads to cater for the state’s strong and growing regional communities,” Mr Pitt said.

“The work underway to replace the roundabout on Boat Harbour Drive at Central Avenue with new traffic signals is a good example of this commitment.

“Boat Harbour Drive is Hervey Bay’s busiest road, with about 20,000 vehicles travelling along it each day.

“This $1.7 million project will reduce congestion and improve safety at one of the city’s key intersections, and is set to open just in time for Christmas.

“As well as regulating traffic movements, the upgraded intersection will include signalised pedestrian crossings, making it safer and easier for people to access the shopping precinct.”

The intersection upgrade is on top of a $10 million plan for Boat Harbour Drive, which includes four-laning the road between Hunter Street and McNally Street and eight intersection upgrades.

Mr Pitt will also visit to Maryborough to inspect a $3.5 million project to keep traffic moving at the busy Ferry Street and Alice Street intersection.

“The Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road, the Maryborough to Cooloola Road and the Maryborough to Biggenden Road all cross at this spot,” Mr Pitt said.

“With traffic in the region growing, local motorists were often experiencing heavy congestion and delays, particularly in peak hour.

“Main Roads is now putting the finishing touches on this upgrade, which is providing additional and extended turning lanes on all four approaches.

“When work finishes later this week, motorists will have a much faster trip through the lights, with the extra lanes improving traffic flow and the new left-turn slip lanes allowing motorists to bypass the lights completely.”

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819