Published Sunday, 29 June, 2008 at 12:15 PM
Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh
Boat Harbour Drive upgrade on track for Christmas completion
HERVEY BAY: Upgrades to Boat Harbour Drive in Hervey Bay between Hunter and McNally streets should be completed by Christmas, Premier Anna Bligh said today.
Ms Bligh made the announcement about the Main Roads project today as part of her government’s Community Cabinet meeting in the area.
"The $11.5 million road upgrade to the one-kilometre section of Boat Harbour Drive will significantly improve peak-hour traffic flow and safety in Hervey Bay and will make sure the city can cater for future growth," she said.
"The project will widen the road to four lanes, upgrade eight intersections and provide a new road surface suitable for the expected growth during the next 15 years.
"A new concrete pedestrian footpath will link existing council pathways between Banksia Park Drive and McNally Street to the new signalised pedestrian crossing at Banksia Park Drive so pedestrians can cross the road safely.
Treasurer and acting Main Roads Minister Andrew Fraser said the State Government was committed to building and upgrading roads to cater for the state's strong and growing regional communities.
"That's why we have completed a number of projects to improve the safety for motorists and all road users in the area," Mr Fraser said.
"For example, the $6.2 million project on Boat Harbour Drive, from Bideford Street to Elizabeth Street, was completed in early August 2006, four months ahead of schedule.
“The upgrade involved rehabilitation work, intersection upgrades and a new set of traffic signals.
"And a $1.7 million project to replace a roundabout on Boat Harbour Drive at Central Avenue with traffic signals was completed in December last year, three months earlier than expected.”
Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, said the upgrade work was eagerly awaited by residents for the improvements it would bring to traffic flows and safety along the increasingly busy thoroughfare.
Mr McNamara said another important road project for the area was also on the drawing board.
"This $1.3 million Safer Roads Sooner project involves the sealing of about three kilometres of shoulders on narrow sections of Maryborough–Hervey Bay Road, in the Susan River area,” he said.
“This work is expected to start in September 2008."
Mr McNamara urged drivers to obey roadwork signs and exercise care when driving through work sites.
“Please remember that safety is the number one priority and take care when driving,” he said.
Ms Bligh is in Maryborough and Hervey Bay this weekend with her Cabinet and the State's senior public servants for the Community Cabinet meeting, the seventh in the past nine months.
"This is part of the government's commitment to listening to Queenslanders’ concerns on their home turf,” she said.
“It is part of taking on board their views as the government and I plan for the future.”
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500
Ms Bligh made the announcement about the Main Roads project today as part of her government’s Community Cabinet meeting in the area.
"The $11.5 million road upgrade to the one-kilometre section of Boat Harbour Drive will significantly improve peak-hour traffic flow and safety in Hervey Bay and will make sure the city can cater for future growth," she said.
"The project will widen the road to four lanes, upgrade eight intersections and provide a new road surface suitable for the expected growth during the next 15 years.
"A new concrete pedestrian footpath will link existing council pathways between Banksia Park Drive and McNally Street to the new signalised pedestrian crossing at Banksia Park Drive so pedestrians can cross the road safely.
Treasurer and acting Main Roads Minister Andrew Fraser said the State Government was committed to building and upgrading roads to cater for the state's strong and growing regional communities.
"That's why we have completed a number of projects to improve the safety for motorists and all road users in the area," Mr Fraser said.
"For example, the $6.2 million project on Boat Harbour Drive, from Bideford Street to Elizabeth Street, was completed in early August 2006, four months ahead of schedule.
“The upgrade involved rehabilitation work, intersection upgrades and a new set of traffic signals.
"And a $1.7 million project to replace a roundabout on Boat Harbour Drive at Central Avenue with traffic signals was completed in December last year, three months earlier than expected.”
Member for Hervey Bay, Andrew McNamara, said the upgrade work was eagerly awaited by residents for the improvements it would bring to traffic flows and safety along the increasingly busy thoroughfare.
Mr McNamara said another important road project for the area was also on the drawing board.
"This $1.3 million Safer Roads Sooner project involves the sealing of about three kilometres of shoulders on narrow sections of Maryborough–Hervey Bay Road, in the Susan River area,” he said.
“This work is expected to start in September 2008."
Mr McNamara urged drivers to obey roadwork signs and exercise care when driving through work sites.
“Please remember that safety is the number one priority and take care when driving,” he said.
Ms Bligh is in Maryborough and Hervey Bay this weekend with her Cabinet and the State's senior public servants for the Community Cabinet meeting, the seventh in the past nine months.
"This is part of the government's commitment to listening to Queenslanders’ concerns on their home turf,” she said.
“It is part of taking on board their views as the government and I plan for the future.”
Media contact: Premier’s Office 3224 4500