Smoother ride for motorists along Leichhardt Highway
Published Friday, 28 December, 2007 at 03:08 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
The Leichhardt Highway south of Theodore is now wider, smoother and catering for the growing number of heavy vehicles using the western Queensland route thanks to the completion of an $18 million project by the Department of Main Roads.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the 19km section of the Leichhardt Highway between 12 Mile Creek and Isla-Delusion Road was previously narrow, with unsealed shoulders, creating safety concerns.
Mr Pitt said the highway was a major north/south transport route, carrying significant volumes of heavy vehicles, tourist and local traffic.
"It became a priority to upgrade the Leichhardt Highway south of Theodore, and with work on the Dawson Highway upgrade progressing ahead of schedule, it was possible to use that construction crew to get the job done more efficiently.
"The new Leichhardt Highway has a standard nine-metre bitumen seal with sealed shoulders, providing ample room for the 50,000 heavy vehicles that use the highway each year."
Site works on the project, which included the construction of eight new vehicle pull-over areas as part of the department's driver fatigue management campaign, commenced in June 2007.
"Far too many heavy vehicle accidents are attributed to fatigue and these new pull-over areas will go a long way to managing this.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the 19km section of the Leichhardt Highway between 12 Mile Creek and Isla-Delusion Road was previously narrow, with unsealed shoulders, creating safety concerns.
Mr Pitt said the highway was a major north/south transport route, carrying significant volumes of heavy vehicles, tourist and local traffic.
"It became a priority to upgrade the Leichhardt Highway south of Theodore, and with work on the Dawson Highway upgrade progressing ahead of schedule, it was possible to use that construction crew to get the job done more efficiently.
"The new Leichhardt Highway has a standard nine-metre bitumen seal with sealed shoulders, providing ample room for the 50,000 heavy vehicles that use the highway each year."
Site works on the project, which included the construction of eight new vehicle pull-over areas as part of the department's driver fatigue management campaign, commenced in June 2007.
"Far too many heavy vehicle accidents are attributed to fatigue and these new pull-over areas will go a long way to managing this.”
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819