Published Monday, 23 June, 2008 at 04:00 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Byfield Road pavement works to start in two weeks
Pavement works on Byfield Road will begin within the next two weeks to repair damage caused by unusually heavy rainfall in the region earlier this year.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said an estimated $400,000 would be spent on the Yeppoon arterial road to provide a smoother and safer road surface for motorists.
"Work crews have been extremely busy across central Queensland since February, repairing roads damaged as a result of the heavy rainfall," Mr Pitt said.
"Like all roads, Byfield Road is undergoing periodic maintenance to ensure safety and serviceability for road users."
Mr Pitt said Byfield Road had historically been used by logging vehicles that travelled to and from the region's renowned State forests.
"The State Government has allocated about $100,000 annually for routine maintenance on Byfield Road," he said.
"In addition, specific funding allocations are made for special maintenance requirements, with $200,000 being spent on bitumen resealing on sections of Byfield Road in the past two years."
Mr Hoolihan said that in recent years, Main Roads had worked closely with the community and the local council to identify areas of highest need for safety upgrades along Byfield Road.
"Since 2000, about $7.5 million has been provided for safety upgrades along this road, including sealing of gravel sections, improving flood immunity, replacing narrow floodways, intersection upgrades, replacing a narrow timber bridge, line marking and installing reflective pavement markers," he said.
Mr Hoolihan said consultation with the local community had identified the need to replace the narrow timber bridges at Byfield Creek and Stoney Creek.
He said a new concrete bridge had been built over Byfield Creek last year at a cost of $1.7 million.
“Planning is also well advanced for a new, high-level concrete bridge across Stoney Creek,” he said.
“The State Government has allocated $3 million for the project to start in 2009–10, which includes almost 1km of new road approach works.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would continue to maintain Byfield Road to ensure safety for all road users.
"The timing of future upgrade works for the road will be prioritised against the needs of the wider road network across central Queensland and the rest of the state," Mr Pitt said.
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr Hoolihan’s Office 4939 5732
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Keppel Paul Hoolihan said an estimated $400,000 would be spent on the Yeppoon arterial road to provide a smoother and safer road surface for motorists.
"Work crews have been extremely busy across central Queensland since February, repairing roads damaged as a result of the heavy rainfall," Mr Pitt said.
"Like all roads, Byfield Road is undergoing periodic maintenance to ensure safety and serviceability for road users."
Mr Pitt said Byfield Road had historically been used by logging vehicles that travelled to and from the region's renowned State forests.
"The State Government has allocated about $100,000 annually for routine maintenance on Byfield Road," he said.
"In addition, specific funding allocations are made for special maintenance requirements, with $200,000 being spent on bitumen resealing on sections of Byfield Road in the past two years."
Mr Hoolihan said that in recent years, Main Roads had worked closely with the community and the local council to identify areas of highest need for safety upgrades along Byfield Road.
"Since 2000, about $7.5 million has been provided for safety upgrades along this road, including sealing of gravel sections, improving flood immunity, replacing narrow floodways, intersection upgrades, replacing a narrow timber bridge, line marking and installing reflective pavement markers," he said.
Mr Hoolihan said consultation with the local community had identified the need to replace the narrow timber bridges at Byfield Creek and Stoney Creek.
He said a new concrete bridge had been built over Byfield Creek last year at a cost of $1.7 million.
“Planning is also well advanced for a new, high-level concrete bridge across Stoney Creek,” he said.
“The State Government has allocated $3 million for the project to start in 2009–10, which includes almost 1km of new road approach works.”
Mr Pitt said Main Roads would continue to maintain Byfield Road to ensure safety for all road users.
"The timing of future upgrade works for the road will be prioritised against the needs of the wider road network across central Queensland and the rest of the state," Mr Pitt said.
Media contacts: Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mr Hoolihan’s Office 4939 5732