Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:42 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for Lockyer Valley roads, bridges
More than $6.21 million would be spent in this year’s State Budget to upgrade bridges and roads in the Lockyer Valley region, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said investment in the region as part of the 2008-09 Budget recognised the important role of the Gatton-Clifton Road as a freight route for Lockyer Valley produce.
“The 2008-09 State Budget provides $3.96 million to upgrade, and in some cases replace, old timber bridges on this road, improving freight efficiency for both producers and transport operators,” Mr Pitt said.
“These upgrades will also improve safety as well as helping producers get their goods to market on time.
“Main Roads has already accelerated its bridge upgrade program in close consultation with the previous Gatton Shire and Cambooya Shire councils and industry.
“We will work closely with the new Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council to minimise any disruptions while the work is carried out.”
2008-09 funding for bridge upgrade and replacement projects includes:
• $1.87 million to complete the replacement of the Ma Ma Creek bridge on the Gatton-Clifton Road, at a total project cost of $2.6 million
• $1.09 million to complete replacement of the bridge at Dry Creek on the Gatton-Clifton Road. The total cost of the project is $2.9 million
• $500,000 to repair Heifer Creek Bridge No 6, at West Haldon on the Gatton-Clifton Road, to its original condition
• $499,000 to repair Heifer Creek Bridge No 5, 9km north of Hirstglen on the Gatton-Clifton Road, to its original condition.
Mr Pitt said the budget also provided $2.25 million for road upgrades in the Lockyer Valley, including:
• $950,000 under the Safer Roads Sooner program to seal shoulders on Murphy’s Creek Road
• $544,000 under the Safer Roads Sooner program to seal shoulders on an 8.2km section of the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road
• $376,000 to widen shoulders and seal a 1km section on the Gatton-Clifton Road at McGinleys Road, 3km north of Hirstglen, at a total estimated cost of $1 million.
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $600,000 provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
TIDS is a program that allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Projects funded under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) include:
• $110,240 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a section of the Ropely-Rockside Road at Ropely
• $140,000 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a section of Flagstone Creek Road near Flagstone Creek
• $130,240 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to widen the pavement on Woodlands Road, Laidley.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
The funding is part of a record $3.235 billion commitment towards roads in the 2008-09 Budget that will drive progress on the Queensland Government’s infrastructure plans.
Mr Pitt said investment in the region as part of the 2008-09 Budget recognised the important role of the Gatton-Clifton Road as a freight route for Lockyer Valley produce.
“The 2008-09 State Budget provides $3.96 million to upgrade, and in some cases replace, old timber bridges on this road, improving freight efficiency for both producers and transport operators,” Mr Pitt said.
“These upgrades will also improve safety as well as helping producers get their goods to market on time.
“Main Roads has already accelerated its bridge upgrade program in close consultation with the previous Gatton Shire and Cambooya Shire councils and industry.
“We will work closely with the new Lockyer Valley Regional Council and Toowoomba Regional Council to minimise any disruptions while the work is carried out.”
2008-09 funding for bridge upgrade and replacement projects includes:
• $1.87 million to complete the replacement of the Ma Ma Creek bridge on the Gatton-Clifton Road, at a total project cost of $2.6 million
• $1.09 million to complete replacement of the bridge at Dry Creek on the Gatton-Clifton Road. The total cost of the project is $2.9 million
• $500,000 to repair Heifer Creek Bridge No 6, at West Haldon on the Gatton-Clifton Road, to its original condition
• $499,000 to repair Heifer Creek Bridge No 5, 9km north of Hirstglen on the Gatton-Clifton Road, to its original condition.
Mr Pitt said the budget also provided $2.25 million for road upgrades in the Lockyer Valley, including:
• $950,000 under the Safer Roads Sooner program to seal shoulders on Murphy’s Creek Road
• $544,000 under the Safer Roads Sooner program to seal shoulders on an 8.2km section of the Forest Hill-Fernvale Road
• $376,000 to widen shoulders and seal a 1km section on the Gatton-Clifton Road at McGinleys Road, 3km north of Hirstglen, at a total estimated cost of $1 million.
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $600,000 provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
TIDS is a program that allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
Projects funded under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) include:
• $110,240 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a section of the Ropely-Rockside Road at Ropely
• $140,000 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to rehabilitate and widen a section of Flagstone Creek Road near Flagstone Creek
• $130,240 for Lockyer Valley Regional Council to widen the pavement on Woodlands Road, Laidley.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819