Published Tuesday, 03 June, 2008 at 04:46 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
State Budget boost for Maryborough roads
More than $24.8 million would be spent on upgrading Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road as part of a record allocation in the State Budget for roads, 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 the funding would improve safety, traffic flow and ease congestion on one of the Wide Bay/Burnett Region’s busiest roads.
“The Queensland Government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency in rural and regional areas, and this investment shows that,” Mr Pitt said.
“2008-09 Budget funding includes allocations for three separate projects that will continue widening and duplicate to four lanes a road that carries about 7000 vehicles a day.
“$10.7 million will go towards completing widening of the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road from north of Dundowran to the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road, 7km south of Pialba, at an estimated total cost of $11.5 million.
“Another $8 million allocation will see an upgrade of major intersections and road improvements between the Torbanlea turnoff and Dundowran Road. Work on this project, which will cost an estimated $18 million, is expected to start early next year and be completed by June 2010.”
Work to duplicate the road from two to four lanes between Hunter Street and McNally Street, 5km west of Urangan, will continue with $6.1 million to complete the project.
“This $11.5 million project includes one kilometre of four laning, eight intersection upgrades including two new sets of traffic lights at Taylor Street and Banksia Drive, and a new road surface,” Mr Pitt said.
“All these projects will give travellers a safer, smoother ride and reduce delays for motorists. The added benefit is that they will also help to improve freight efficiency.”
A further $654,000 allocation towards a $2 million upgrade at the Boundary Road and Booral Road intersection in the Booral area will help improve safety for local motorists.
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $2.3 million provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
This includes a $501,000 contribution to Fraser Coast Regional Council to build a bikeway/footway overpass over the Bruce Highway near Gayndah Road, Maryborough West.
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 the funding would improve safety, traffic flow and ease congestion on one of the Wide Bay/Burnett Region’s busiest roads.
“The Queensland Government is committed to improving road safety and freight efficiency in rural and regional areas, and this investment shows that,” Mr Pitt said.
“2008-09 Budget funding includes allocations for three separate projects that will continue widening and duplicate to four lanes a road that carries about 7000 vehicles a day.
“$10.7 million will go towards completing widening of the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road from north of Dundowran to the Pialba-Burrum Heads Road, 7km south of Pialba, at an estimated total cost of $11.5 million.
“Another $8 million allocation will see an upgrade of major intersections and road improvements between the Torbanlea turnoff and Dundowran Road. Work on this project, which will cost an estimated $18 million, is expected to start early next year and be completed by June 2010.”
Work to duplicate the road from two to four lanes between Hunter Street and McNally Street, 5km west of Urangan, will continue with $6.1 million to complete the project.
“This $11.5 million project includes one kilometre of four laning, eight intersection upgrades including two new sets of traffic lights at Taylor Street and Banksia Drive, and a new road surface,” Mr Pitt said.
“All these projects will give travellers a safer, smoother ride and reduce delays for motorists. The added benefit is that they will also help to improve freight efficiency.”
A further $654,000 allocation towards a $2 million upgrade at the Boundary Road and Booral Road intersection in the Booral area will help improve safety for local motorists.
Mr Pitt said new regional councils would also benefit, with $2.3 million provided to councils under the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS).
The TIDS program allows local government to access State Government funding for projects on local roads.
This includes a $501,000 contribution to Fraser Coast Regional Council to build a bikeway/footway overpass over the Bruce Highway near Gayndah Road, Maryborough West.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819