Bowen Basin to benefit from road safety initiative

A $9.5 million safety improvement project will soon begin on a 31-kilometre section of the Dysart-Middlemount Road in central Queensland, Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said today.

Mr Pitt said the Bowen Basin project would generate employment for 74 people.

“Mining communities across Queensland are being hit hard by the global economic slowdown,” Mr Pitt said.

“We need to respond quickly to ensure the future of mining communities and their families. The government is committed to supporting our regions and to retaining and creating jobs within them.

“We will make these communities strong and better. We are investing millions in roads in resource regions to deliver jobs, community projects and services.

“Upgrading roads will also mean safer highways, especially for workers moving between the mines and the coast and for heavy vehicles and wide loads using this road.”

Mr Pitt said mining activity in the Bowen Basin had placed stress on roads servicing the region, including increased traffic flows on Dysart-Middlemount Road.

"Main Roads completed shoulder widening and road surface repairs on the Dysart-Stephens Creek section of the road in August last year at a cost of $1.2 million,” Mr Pitt said.

"This new project covers nearly 31 kilometres, extending from the Middlemount turn-off to 28.5 kilometres south of the Dysart turn-off, and will involve widening and sealing the shoulders of the existing road to a full-width, nine metre sealed running surface.

"This will improve the overall safety of the road environment for motorists, particularly heavy vehicle drivers."

Mr Pitt said upgrading would be carried out by RoadTek, Main Roads’ construction arm, with work due to start in early February.

“Upgrading is expected to be completed by the end of 2009, and routine maintenance work will be on-going as part of Main Roads’ commitment to improving Queensland’s road network.”