Published Wednesday, 02 July, 2008 at 12:29 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Preferred Walkerston bypass option announced
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today announced the preferred bypass option to address traffic issues in Walkerston.
Mr Pitt said the preferred option, the original option one, would follow the eastern end of Stockroute Road, deviating to the south at the western end.
"This route is outside designated future residential expansion areas and is expected to more than halve the number of vehicles that travel through the township," Mr Pitt said.
"This will include reducing the number of heavy vehicles travelling through town, which is a significant safety concern to residents.
"The Stockroute Road option balances the impact on farms and residential properties and directly connects with the expanding industrial area of Paget."
Mr Pitt said the preferred option would also negate the need for the Inner Walkerston Deviation, which was a concern to many residents.
"The preferred option will also relieve pressure on the City Gates intersection and will form a parallel route to the existing Peak Downs Highway, providing a better overall network solution for traffic incident management and relieving congestion."
Main Roads engaged the Walkerston community extensively during the study to understand the issues that different members of the community have with each proposed bypass option.
"Community feedback played an important role in the selection of this option," Mr Pitt said.
A construction timeframe for the project will be determined once funding is secured. Main Roads is currently developing a business case to obtain funding for the project.
Mr Pitt said the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and Member for Mackay Mr Tim Mulherin was heavily involved in the project.
"The preferred route had the support of the Member for Mackay and local community leaders, including other state and federal members of Parliament who represent the Mackay area, and also the Mackay Regional Council," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has worked very closely with the Mackay Regional Council on this project and they are forming a partnership to progress broader strategic road network planning in the greater Mackay City area."
Main Roads is liaising with affected property owners.
For more information on the preferred Walkerston Bypass option please contact Main Roads on 1300 736 754, email mackay@mainroads.qld.gov.au or visit www.mainroads.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Mr Pitt said the preferred option, the original option one, would follow the eastern end of Stockroute Road, deviating to the south at the western end.
"This route is outside designated future residential expansion areas and is expected to more than halve the number of vehicles that travel through the township," Mr Pitt said.
"This will include reducing the number of heavy vehicles travelling through town, which is a significant safety concern to residents.
"The Stockroute Road option balances the impact on farms and residential properties and directly connects with the expanding industrial area of Paget."
Mr Pitt said the preferred option would also negate the need for the Inner Walkerston Deviation, which was a concern to many residents.
"The preferred option will also relieve pressure on the City Gates intersection and will form a parallel route to the existing Peak Downs Highway, providing a better overall network solution for traffic incident management and relieving congestion."
Main Roads engaged the Walkerston community extensively during the study to understand the issues that different members of the community have with each proposed bypass option.
"Community feedback played an important role in the selection of this option," Mr Pitt said.
A construction timeframe for the project will be determined once funding is secured. Main Roads is currently developing a business case to obtain funding for the project.
Mr Pitt said the Minister for Primary Industries and Fisheries and Member for Mackay Mr Tim Mulherin was heavily involved in the project.
"The preferred route had the support of the Member for Mackay and local community leaders, including other state and federal members of Parliament who represent the Mackay area, and also the Mackay Regional Council," Mr Pitt said.
"Main Roads has worked very closely with the Mackay Regional Council on this project and they are forming a partnership to progress broader strategic road network planning in the greater Mackay City area."
Main Roads is liaising with affected property owners.
For more information on the preferred Walkerston Bypass option please contact Main Roads on 1300 736 754, email mackay@mainroads.qld.gov.au or visit www.mainroads.qld.gov.au.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819