Published Tuesday, 29 July, 2008 at 10:30 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
$14.2m Joint Levee Road project on track with completion of first stage
A new route to the bustling port of Mackay is a step closer to becoming a reality with stage one of the $14.2 million Joint Levee Road project completed this week.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the State Government committed to building the new 1.5-kilometre deviation from Sams Road through to the Kooyong intersection at Barnes Creek Road for the multiple benefits it would bring to the North Mackay region.
"Not only will the Joint Levee Road remove most heavy vehicles from Malcomson Street, the new deviation will provide a combined road and flood mitigation levee," Mr Pitt said.
"This will benefit the community by reducing flood risks and improve the safety of the area's road network by removing heavy vehicles from residential areas, and relieving general traffic congestion in North Mackay."
Mr Pitt said it was estimated that when completed the Joint Levee Road would halve local traffic, by removing heavy vehicles from Malcomson Street, and reducing travel times for heavy vehicles to the port of Mackay – saving fuel, money and carbon emissions.
The project is being built in three stages with the new road ultimately reaching a height of five metres.
"Stage one includes the formation of the first half of the embankment and will be followed by a settlement period, which allows for consolidation of the material below the embankment," Mr Pitt said.
"Stage two, which is due to be completed early 2009, will involve building the second half of the embankment and will be followed by another settlement period.
"Stage three will involve the construction of the road pavement."
Basic Construction Services completed stage one of the three-stage project in about nine months, and Main Roads will soon be calling tenders for stage two.
During extensive community consultation, the Joint Levee Road project was assessed as the best solution to the problems of traffic congestion and flooding in the North Mackay area.
"Main Roads is listening to community concerns about roads in the Mackay region," Mr Pitt said.
“Mackay has been experiencing an unprecedented level of roadworks, with the Queensland Government continuing to improve the state-controlled road network.
"As well as the Joint Levee Road project, a $17 million project to duplicate Mackay–Bucasia Road project is due to be completed early in 2009 to improve access for Mackay's thriving northern beaches," Mr Pitt said.
"Another three major roads projects are also underway in the Mackay/Whitsunday region."
Mr Pitt said piling works for the temporary working platform started this month on the $128 million Forgan Bridge replacement project.
The $33.6 million Hospital Bridge project has been progressing well, with construction of the roundabout at Hume Street, Lagoon Street and Lansdowne Road commencing earlier this month.
Main Roads also completed $100,000 of asphalt resurfacing on Malcomson Street to prolong the life of the existing road surface prior to the completion of the Joint Levee Road, when a full upgrade of Malcomson Street will occur.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the State Government committed to building the new 1.5-kilometre deviation from Sams Road through to the Kooyong intersection at Barnes Creek Road for the multiple benefits it would bring to the North Mackay region.
"Not only will the Joint Levee Road remove most heavy vehicles from Malcomson Street, the new deviation will provide a combined road and flood mitigation levee," Mr Pitt said.
"This will benefit the community by reducing flood risks and improve the safety of the area's road network by removing heavy vehicles from residential areas, and relieving general traffic congestion in North Mackay."
Mr Pitt said it was estimated that when completed the Joint Levee Road would halve local traffic, by removing heavy vehicles from Malcomson Street, and reducing travel times for heavy vehicles to the port of Mackay – saving fuel, money and carbon emissions.
The project is being built in three stages with the new road ultimately reaching a height of five metres.
"Stage one includes the formation of the first half of the embankment and will be followed by a settlement period, which allows for consolidation of the material below the embankment," Mr Pitt said.
"Stage two, which is due to be completed early 2009, will involve building the second half of the embankment and will be followed by another settlement period.
"Stage three will involve the construction of the road pavement."
Basic Construction Services completed stage one of the three-stage project in about nine months, and Main Roads will soon be calling tenders for stage two.
During extensive community consultation, the Joint Levee Road project was assessed as the best solution to the problems of traffic congestion and flooding in the North Mackay area.
"Main Roads is listening to community concerns about roads in the Mackay region," Mr Pitt said.
“Mackay has been experiencing an unprecedented level of roadworks, with the Queensland Government continuing to improve the state-controlled road network.
"As well as the Joint Levee Road project, a $17 million project to duplicate Mackay–Bucasia Road project is due to be completed early in 2009 to improve access for Mackay's thriving northern beaches," Mr Pitt said.
"Another three major roads projects are also underway in the Mackay/Whitsunday region."
Mr Pitt said piling works for the temporary working platform started this month on the $128 million Forgan Bridge replacement project.
The $33.6 million Hospital Bridge project has been progressing well, with construction of the roundabout at Hume Street, Lagoon Street and Lansdowne Road commencing earlier this month.
Main Roads also completed $100,000 of asphalt resurfacing on Malcomson Street to prolong the life of the existing road surface prior to the completion of the Joint Levee Road, when a full upgrade of Malcomson Street will occur.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819