Published Tuesday, 12 August, 2008 at 11:34 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Flinders region roads to receive maintenance boost
Improved driver safety will be a key feature of a new $1.5 million road maintenance contract to be undertaken on more than 750km of roads in the Flinders region.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today announced the 12 month contract had been awarded to Flinders Shire Council.
"Routine maintenance work in this contract includes 200km of the Flinders Highway, between Charters Towers and Richmond," Mr Pitt said.
Member for Thuringowa and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace said the Flinders Highway was a major east-west freight and passenger route linking Cloncurry to Charters Towers and further east to Townsville.
"It is a key route essential to the remote communities along this link, and is integral in servicing the north-west region's growing economy,” Mr Wallace said.
"Maintenance work to road surfaces, floodways and culverts will assist in improving safety and efficiency on this vital east-west connection," he said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said a number of the region's unsealed roads would also benefit from maintenance work, to be carried out as part of the contract.
"Main Roads will be improving travelling conditions and driver safety by repairing and maintaining the gravel road surface and shoulders on the region's unsealed road sections," Ms Kiernan said.
"Additional maintenance works, including servicing of rest areas and the installation of new signage and guide posts, will also significantly assist in improving road safety and provide a more comfortable driving experience for motorists," she said.
Aside from roadworks on the Flinders Highway, routine maintenance in the region includes work on:
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt today announced the 12 month contract had been awarded to Flinders Shire Council.
"Routine maintenance work in this contract includes 200km of the Flinders Highway, between Charters Towers and Richmond," Mr Pitt said.
Member for Thuringowa and Minister Assisting the Premier in North Queensland Craig Wallace said the Flinders Highway was a major east-west freight and passenger route linking Cloncurry to Charters Towers and further east to Townsville.
"It is a key route essential to the remote communities along this link, and is integral in servicing the north-west region's growing economy,” Mr Wallace said.
"Maintenance work to road surfaces, floodways and culverts will assist in improving safety and efficiency on this vital east-west connection," he said.
Member for Mount Isa Betty Kiernan said a number of the region's unsealed roads would also benefit from maintenance work, to be carried out as part of the contract.
"Main Roads will be improving travelling conditions and driver safety by repairing and maintaining the gravel road surface and shoulders on the region's unsealed road sections," Ms Kiernan said.
"Additional maintenance works, including servicing of rest areas and the installation of new signage and guide posts, will also significantly assist in improving road safety and provide a more comfortable driving experience for motorists," she said.
Aside from roadworks on the Flinders Highway, routine maintenance in the region includes work on:
- Kennedy Developmental Road (Hughenden to Winton)
- Hughenden – Muttaburra Road
- Aramac – Torrens Creek Road.
Maintenance work commenced in July and will continue until June 2009.
Additional road projects in the Flinders region include an $8.8 million project to widen, repair and strengthen a 12km section of the Flinders Highway, 25km east of Hughenden in the Jardine Valley area. The project commenced in May 2008 and is due for completion in June 2009.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Minister Wallace’s Office 3896 3688; Mount Isa Electorate Office 4743 5149