A roads package worth over half a billion dollars has been announced by the Queensland and Australian Governments. According to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, this outcome was reached after constructive discussions with the Australian Government.
“Today we’ve announced more than half a billion dollars in funding for major road infrastructure projects in South East Queensland and Central Queensland which is great for Queensland jobs,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The roads package includes the following:
“We have reached an agreement and can now get on with the job of upgrading the M1. We’ve also committed to construction of the Walkerston Bypass, this will deliver benefits for the region and more jobs for Central Queensland,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said that he is delighted that an agreement has been reached on the five vital road projects.
“Although final project costs for the M1 will not be known until the end of April, we have reached an agreement that the Australian Government will keep our money on the table with the State picking up the balance.
“The tender processes are expected to bring cost down, so the final splits will not be known until then. The important thing is we have broken the impasse and will work together to deliver these important projects,” Mr Chester said.
According to Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey, early works on the M1 Gateway Merge project is expected to begin in November 2017 and major construction works will follow after the Commonwealth Games.
“Construction for the $150 million Walkerston Bypass will begin following completion of the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project, extending the pipeline of local jobs in the Mackay region.
“The Queensland Government is also investing $5 million to progress the planning and business case development for the six-laning of the Pacific Motorway between Varsity Lakes and Tugun – the next highest priority upgrade on the southern end of the motorway,” Mr Bailey said.
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Source: Queensland Government