Published Friday, 10 October, 2008 at 11:00 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Widening and rehabilitation works to improve road safety
The Queensland Government has embarked on further rehabilitation and widening works on the Gregory Developmental Road as part of the second stage of a three-stage project to upgrade the road.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the $9 million second stage was currently in progress, as part of an ongoing program to upgrade sections of the key road link.
Mr Pitt made the announcement while attending the annual Blueprint for the Bush forum in Charters Towers this weekend.
"The Gregory Developmental Road is part of the Emerald to Cairns inland route from Clermont to The Lynd, and maintaining its serviceability and upgrading the road to cater for the needs of industry is important to us," Mr Pitt said.
"By widening and rehabilitating the road, we are improving the safety and driving conditions for all road users.
"The Gregory Developmental Road provides a vital connection between central and northern Queensland, linking Emerald, Charters Towers and Cairns."
Stage one, located just north of Greenvale – one kilometre south of Airport Road to eight kilometres north of East Paddy Creek – was completed on 9 September 2008.
Stage two works, located just south of Greenvale, will stretch for 16 kilometres and includes widening the road seal from 3.6 metres to 8 metres. The works are due for completion by March 2009, weather permitting.
In the next three years, a further $25 million will be spent on widening and strengthening 48 kilometres of selected sections of the Gregory Developmental Road between Charters Towers and the Lynd.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had now produced a draft road management plan for the link between Charters Towers and Mount Garnet, which incorporated sections of the Gregory Developmental Road, the Kennedy Developmental Road and the Kennedy Highway.
"This draft plan will give motorists and the community an opportunity to provide feedback on identified issues including signage, fatigue management, flooding, heavy vehicle rest areas, road quality and driver education," Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the $9 million second stage was currently in progress, as part of an ongoing program to upgrade sections of the key road link.
Mr Pitt made the announcement while attending the annual Blueprint for the Bush forum in Charters Towers this weekend.
"The Gregory Developmental Road is part of the Emerald to Cairns inland route from Clermont to The Lynd, and maintaining its serviceability and upgrading the road to cater for the needs of industry is important to us," Mr Pitt said.
"By widening and rehabilitating the road, we are improving the safety and driving conditions for all road users.
"The Gregory Developmental Road provides a vital connection between central and northern Queensland, linking Emerald, Charters Towers and Cairns."
Stage one, located just north of Greenvale – one kilometre south of Airport Road to eight kilometres north of East Paddy Creek – was completed on 9 September 2008.
Stage two works, located just south of Greenvale, will stretch for 16 kilometres and includes widening the road seal from 3.6 metres to 8 metres. The works are due for completion by March 2009, weather permitting.
In the next three years, a further $25 million will be spent on widening and strengthening 48 kilometres of selected sections of the Gregory Developmental Road between Charters Towers and the Lynd.
Mr Pitt said Main Roads had now produced a draft road management plan for the link between Charters Towers and Mount Garnet, which incorporated sections of the Gregory Developmental Road, the Kennedy Developmental Road and the Kennedy Highway.
"This draft plan will give motorists and the community an opportunity to provide feedback on identified issues including signage, fatigue management, flooding, heavy vehicle rest areas, road quality and driver education," Mr Pitt said.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819