Construction now underway on QLD Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 project

The first sod has been turned and major construction on the $230 million Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 (TRR5) project in Queensland is now underway. 

“Under the 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, we are continuing to invest in safety, flood resilience and capacity upgrades along the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns. 

“We are pleased to be working in partnership with the Queensland Government to deliver the long-term infrastructure needed to ensure continued economic growth in the Townsville and surrounding region. 

“Through our 10-year, $110 billion nationwide infrastructure investment plan, we are building our future and securing Australia’s world-leading economic recovery,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

This significant road project will ensure that the Bruce Highway will be able to accommodate the growing communities in Townsville for years to come in addition to delivering jobs in North Queensland and aiding in the State’s economic recovery. 

“TRR5 will provide a huge boost to the Townsville region’s economy over the next few years. 

“This investment is estimated to support nearly 400 direct jobs at a time when North Queensland needs them most. 

“It’s part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $27.5 billion, four-year roads and transport investment plan to support 24,000 jobs, which is helping drive Queensland’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” QLD Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

Project alignment (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The TRR5 project will include: 

• Duplication of a 6-kilometre, 2-lane section of the ring road between Vickers Bridge and Shaw Road to 4 lanes 
• Duplication of bridges over Bohle and Little Bohle Rivers 
• Duplication of overpass bridges at Beck Drive and Hervey Range Road 
• A new interchange at Beck Drive, catering for all directions of travel and providing better connection between the Townsville Ring Road and the Upper Ross area 
• Changes to the existing Riverway Drive interchange to ensure its safe operation with the new Beck Drive interchange, including removal of the eastbound off-ramp and westbound on-ramp 
• Installation of drainage for flood mitigation 
• Installation of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) 
• Noise mitigation measures 
• Environmental considerations 
• Upgrades to the surrounding local road network, including signalisation of the Beck Drive and Gouldian Avenue intersection 
• Active transport facilities including new and upgraded shared pathways for pedestrians and bike riders 

“This upgrade is going to make daily commutes shorter, boost our economy by getting freight to and through our city more quickly, and create much-needed local jobs during construction. 

“More important than all of that though is safety – four lanes are much safer than two – and anyone who leaves in the morning should be able to return home safely to their family at night,” Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said. 

By the end of 2023, the Townsville Ring Road is going to be a dual-lane carriage way that provides improved efficiency, travel times as well as safety while also creating jobs and opportunities for local suppliers and contractors during its construction phase. 

“While a range of specialised goods and services will be required to deliver the TRR5 project, TMR and principal contractor Georgiou are committed to using people, goods and services available in the region. 

“More than 17,000 vehicles use this section of the Townsville Ring Road each day, 12 per cent of which are freight vehicles,” State Members for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said. 

Once completed, the upgraded Townsville Ring Road will help bust congestion during peak hours on the surrounding network as well as provide better connectivity to vital employment hubs such as Lavarack Barracks, James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital. 

The Georgiou Group – AECOM consortium was awarded the contract to design and build the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 in 2020. 

Weather permitting, the project is due to be completed in 2023. 

The Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on an 80:20 basis – each contributing $184 million and $46 million respectively. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads