Published Thursday, 11 September, 2008 at 11:15 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Three-peat for Queensland motorists as Main Roads delivers again
Queensland motorists are seeing the benefits of a road construction boom, with Main Roads delivering its full capital works program for the third year in a row.
Main Road Minister Warren Pitt said today that the department had overcome significant challenges to deliver in full a capital works program of $2.3 billion in the 2007-08 financial year.
He said the achievement demonstrated the Queensland Government's commitment to building and maintaining the state’s road infrastructure, which was vital to continued growth.
"Despite the impact of wet weather in late 2007 and flooding earlier this year, which at its peak affected more than 80 per cent of the state, Main Roads has again been able to deliver its full construction program," Mr Pitt said.
"The fact that the department has now achieved this three years in a row in the face of increasing competition for materials and skilled labour is an excellent achievement and a great credit to all those involved in the program's delivery.
"It reflects Main Roads' ability to deliver projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner, with the bulk of this vital infrastructure work completed within budget and much of it ahead of schedule.
“It also highlights the Queensland Government’s growing investment in road infrastructure, with Main Roads’ annual capital works programs growing from $1.14 billion in 2005-06 to $1.63 billion in 2006-07 and $2.3 billion last financial year.
“This financial year, Main Roads has been allocated $2.46 billion dollars, with expenditure on the Gateway Motorway upgrade, local council roads and federal black spots taking this total to $3.235 billion.”
Mr Pitt said increased freight and commuter traffic arising from urban and rural growth had become a major challenge for roads construction bodies across Australia in general, and Queensland in particular.
"Congestion, particularly in the south-east corner, needs urgent action and the Bligh Government is delivering major infrastructure projects to tackle this issue head-on,'' Mr Pitt said.
"Recently completed major projects include the Tugun Bypass, which opened to traffic last month, six months ahead of schedule.
"Elsewhere in south-east Queensland, the $89 million Caboolture Bypass and interchange project was completed in November 2007, on time and within budget.
"The massive $330 million Inner Northern Busway opened in May, also within budget and six months earlier than expected."
Mr Pitt said the strong delivery focus was also reflected in central Queensland's $91 million Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program (ARRP) and the $28 million upgrade of the Burke Developmental Road in the state's north-west.
"The central Queensland ARRP project upgraded 71km of the Dawson Highway, constructed two new overtaking lanes, rehabilitated and widened 19km of the Leichhardt Highway south of Theodore, and replaced 11 timber bridges,'' Mr Pitt said.
"The project used an innovative alliance approach between Main Roads, Canstruct, JWP and Ostwald Bros, bringing together experts in design, earthworks and pavements, bridge construction and project management.
"This work was delivered in less than two years, and was expanded from its original scope to include four extra bridges and an extra 19km of the Leichhardt Highway."
Mr Pitt said the Burke Developmental Road project involved widening 128km of narrow, single-lane road between Cloncurry and south of the Burke and Wills Junction to provide an 8m sealed road with two lanes and sealed shoulders.
"This project, to improve safety and travelling conditions between Cloncurry and the remote Gulf communities, was delivered under an alliance contract between Main Roads and RoadTek,'' he said.
"It has provided better access for the grazing, road freight, mining and tourism industries in the state's far north-west.
"The original project was completed $3 million under budget and more than a year ahead of schedule, allowing extra resealing and drainage works to be provided under the existing budget.
"This project is a prime example of completing work under budget and time targets, while using cost savings to widen extra sections of the road beyond the original scope."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Road Minister Warren Pitt said today that the department had overcome significant challenges to deliver in full a capital works program of $2.3 billion in the 2007-08 financial year.
He said the achievement demonstrated the Queensland Government's commitment to building and maintaining the state’s road infrastructure, which was vital to continued growth.
"Despite the impact of wet weather in late 2007 and flooding earlier this year, which at its peak affected more than 80 per cent of the state, Main Roads has again been able to deliver its full construction program," Mr Pitt said.
"The fact that the department has now achieved this three years in a row in the face of increasing competition for materials and skilled labour is an excellent achievement and a great credit to all those involved in the program's delivery.
"It reflects Main Roads' ability to deliver projects in a timely and cost-efficient manner, with the bulk of this vital infrastructure work completed within budget and much of it ahead of schedule.
“It also highlights the Queensland Government’s growing investment in road infrastructure, with Main Roads’ annual capital works programs growing from $1.14 billion in 2005-06 to $1.63 billion in 2006-07 and $2.3 billion last financial year.
“This financial year, Main Roads has been allocated $2.46 billion dollars, with expenditure on the Gateway Motorway upgrade, local council roads and federal black spots taking this total to $3.235 billion.”
Mr Pitt said increased freight and commuter traffic arising from urban and rural growth had become a major challenge for roads construction bodies across Australia in general, and Queensland in particular.
"Congestion, particularly in the south-east corner, needs urgent action and the Bligh Government is delivering major infrastructure projects to tackle this issue head-on,'' Mr Pitt said.
"Recently completed major projects include the Tugun Bypass, which opened to traffic last month, six months ahead of schedule.
"Elsewhere in south-east Queensland, the $89 million Caboolture Bypass and interchange project was completed in November 2007, on time and within budget.
"The massive $330 million Inner Northern Busway opened in May, also within budget and six months earlier than expected."
Mr Pitt said the strong delivery focus was also reflected in central Queensland's $91 million Accelerated Road Rehabilitation Program (ARRP) and the $28 million upgrade of the Burke Developmental Road in the state's north-west.
"The central Queensland ARRP project upgraded 71km of the Dawson Highway, constructed two new overtaking lanes, rehabilitated and widened 19km of the Leichhardt Highway south of Theodore, and replaced 11 timber bridges,'' Mr Pitt said.
"The project used an innovative alliance approach between Main Roads, Canstruct, JWP and Ostwald Bros, bringing together experts in design, earthworks and pavements, bridge construction and project management.
"This work was delivered in less than two years, and was expanded from its original scope to include four extra bridges and an extra 19km of the Leichhardt Highway."
Mr Pitt said the Burke Developmental Road project involved widening 128km of narrow, single-lane road between Cloncurry and south of the Burke and Wills Junction to provide an 8m sealed road with two lanes and sealed shoulders.
"This project, to improve safety and travelling conditions between Cloncurry and the remote Gulf communities, was delivered under an alliance contract between Main Roads and RoadTek,'' he said.
"It has provided better access for the grazing, road freight, mining and tourism industries in the state's far north-west.
"The original project was completed $3 million under budget and more than a year ahead of schedule, allowing extra resealing and drainage works to be provided under the existing budget.
"This project is a prime example of completing work under budget and time targets, while using cost savings to widen extra sections of the road beyond the original scope."
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819