Several inland freight corridors are up for upgrades, which will provide a significant boost in road construction jobs for communities in regional Queensland. The 22 jointly funded regional roads projects have a combined value of $185 million.
Scope of works will include road sealing, construction of overtaking lanes, intersection upgrades as well as safety improvement works.
These works are going to be delivered on roads that have been identified in the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.
“As the effects of COVID-19 ripple through our economy, it is vital all levels of Government work together to support jobs, drive economic growth and build stronger and safer regional communities.
“Delivering early works through the ROSI initiative will give regional Queensland communities access to new projects and jobs,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.
Through an agreement reached by the Australian and Queensland Governments in November of last year, works to upgrade regional roads can begin and will be supporting hundreds of jobs across the State.
“The combined value of these early works upgrades on Queensland’s key inland freight corridors is worth about $185 million over the next four years.
“We’ll talk with the local councils through the Regional Roads and Transport Groups and other key industry stakeholders who use those corridors to identify projects that can be prioritised within the remaining ROSI corridor allocations,” Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said.
The State Government has identified the projects that can begin works over the next 12 months and consultation will continue to develop 10-yearROSI corridor investment strategies.
“In the meantime, my department has identified a range of critical projects on each of those corridors including bridge replacements, road sealing and widening and intersection upgrades that can get started earlier while we’re consulting on the longer-term priorities.
“Council workforces and local contractors will benefit from these contracts too,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
These works are also good news for the freight industry – one that relies heavily on inland corridors – as it means that the roads will become safer and more flood resilient sooner than later.
Key regional roads to be upgraded include Flinders Highway, Kennedy Developmental Road (Hann Highway), Carnarvon Highway, Dawson Highway and Dawson Developmental Road (Springsure – Tambo), Gulf Developmental Road, Gregory Highway and Gregory Developmental Road, Balonne Highway, Gore Highway, Proserpine – Shute Harbour Road and the local government-controlled Floraville Road in Burke Shire.
“This is about making these major roads and key freight routes safer and more reliable.
“No matter where you live, the Federal Government is investing to get our world-class produce to market and help motorists reach their destinations sooner and safer,” Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said.
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Source: Queensland Government; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
