Tenders have been called for the construction of the $34.6 million Cape River Bridge Upgrade project located south of Charters Towers. The project is expected to support up to 34 regional jobs.
Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said that not only will this project boost local jobs, it will also deliver a new, higher and wider bridge as well as improved approaches on a 2-kilometre section of the Gregory Developmental Road.
“We have made excellent progress on the planning and design of this vital flood immunity project.
“The tender for the supply of bridge piles was awarded to Rockhampton-based company Stresscrete earlier this month and we expect to award the construction contract early next year,” Mr Bailey said.
According to Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O’Rourke, the Cape River Bridge Upgrade will help improve road safety as well as accessibility between Charters Towers and Emerald. Ms O’Rourke also said that road closures due to flooding will be reduced significantly once the upgrade project is completed.
“This means improved year-round freight access to inland communities and the Townsville Port, as well as safer and better driving conditions for locals.
“This project is part of the Palaszczuk Government’s $77 million investment in the Gregory Developmental Road over the next three years,” Ms O’Rourke said.
Ms O’Rourke added that the State Government will also be spending more than $42 million to widen and strengthen 34-kilometres of the remaining single lane as well as narrow two-lane sections north of Charters Towers.
“We are committed to improving the inland highway to ensure it is safe and dependable for local residents, the freight, mining and agricultural industries, and tourists,” Ms O’Rourke said.
Construction for the Cape River Bridge Upgrade project is expected to commence in April 2017 – after the wet season – and be completed by mid-2018, construction and weather conditions permitting.
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Source: Queensland Government