Significant progress seen on Rockhampton Ring Road project

Delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road is progressing well, reaching major milestones with works advancing at Fitzroy River Bridge, Capricorn Highway Connector Bridge, the Werribee Street precast yard as well as several overpasses north of the river.

Piling commenced on Rockhampton's third crossing of the Fitzroy River at the Pink Lily riverbank for the new bridge. This is the very beginning of construction for the foundation of the 435-metre bridge that will link Pink Lily and Parkhurst.

A temporary work platform is also being built across the Fitzroy River, with only five spans remaining before reaching the Parkhurst riverbank. Once completed, it will connect both sides of the river and support the movement of machinery, materials and components needed to build the new bridge.

Meanwhile, the last of the 150 girders for the Capricorn Highway connector bridge has been installed, with each girder measuring 34 metres in length and weighs 84 tonnes. Together, these girders form the 841-metre bridge – one of the largest structures on the project.

In North Rockhampton, construction of the Werribee Street precast yard shed and installation of gantry cranes are completed ahead of commissioning in October.

The new purpose-built facility will manufacture the 312 concrete segments required for the new Fitzroy River Bridge.

"With rowing confirmed for Rockhampton in 2032, the world will be looking to Central Queensland, with tourists, athletes and support staff all visiting – the Rockhampton Ring Road is how they're going to get around.

"The progress we're seeing across the project shows how quickly we're getting on with the job, with the community now able to see how this transformative project is coming together.

"Whether it's the new Fitzroy River bridge, the Capricorn Highway connector bridge or the overpasses taking shape north of the river, this project is delivering the infrastructure needed to improve connectivity for communities, strengthen flood resilience and support freight movements across Central Queensland.

"When the world visits in 2032, they'll get here on the Rockhampton Ring Road – and when the Games is over, it will remain as another example of the generational infrastructure we're delivering for Central Queensland," QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said.

The $1.98 billion Rockhampton Ring Road is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, each contributing $1.4 billion and $580 million respectively.

Key features of the project include:

• 17.4 kilometres of new roadway including about 14.7 kilometres of ring road alignment starting from a new southern roundabout on the Capricorn Highway
• A new 435-metre-long third bridge over the Fitzroy River between Pink Lily and Parkhurst, with shared active transport facilities
• New access points, including:
  • West Rockhampton via a flood-resilient connection road from the ring road alignment to the Rockhampton airport and hospital precincts via the Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road roundabout
  • North Rockhampton at Alexandra Street with a grade-separated overpass including on and off ramps to access the local road network
  • The Bruce Highway intersection with Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road at Parkhurst, improving travel time to and from the Capricorn Coast
• Continued access to the road network during major flood events via a high-level connection from the Capricorn Highway to the ring road alignment, building Rockhampton’s flood resilience during weather events
• A total of 18 bridges along the main ring road alignment, including 8 road overpasses and 7 water crossings

These works will help improve safety, flood immunity and resilience, freight efficiency and travel time reliability for Central Queensland.

"From the commencement of work on the new Fitzroy River bridge linking Pink Lily and Parkhurst to the near completion of girder installation on the Capricorn Highway connector bridge, the Rockhampton Ring Road is making significant progress.

"When completed, the Rockhampton Ring Road will mean faster and safer journeys for locals and more efficient travel for producers and logistics operators.

"Our investment, in partnership with the Queensland Government, is supporting local jobs, providing opportunities for local industry and delivering the infrastructure needed to support Central Queensland's future growth," Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads