Second stage of Joint Levee Road project set to start

Construction on stage two of Mackay’s $14.2 million Joint Levee Road project is set to start next week, if the weather remains fine, Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin and Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Mulherin said the new road would provide Mackay with many important benefits.

"As well as significantly reducing the amount of local traffic and heavy vehicles on Malcomson Street, the new road will provide a combined road and flood mitigation levee,” Mr Mulherin said.

"It will also reduce travel times to the bustling Port of Mackay, saving money for motorists on fuel costs and reducing carbon emissions."

Mr Mulherin said Main Roads had liaised closely with the community on the project.

“During extensive community consultation, the Joint Levee Road project was determined as the best solution to ease traffic congestion and flooding in the area,” he said.

Mr Pitt said a $3.1 million contract had been awarded to Vassallo Constructions to carry out the work.

“Stage one of the project was completed in July 2008 and involved the formation of the first half of the road embankment,” he said.

“Stage two will involve completing the second half the embankment, followed by a settlement period, and is expected to be completed by June this year.”

Mr Pitt said the third and final stage of the project was due to be completed by the end of 2009, weather permitting.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819; Mackay Electorate Office 4957 8422