A major milestone has been reached for the $17 million Flinders Highway upgrade between Townsville and Torrens Creek in Queensland, with tenders being called to deliver the project.
The Australian Government has committed approximately $13.6 million to the project – under the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program (NARP) – which will widen, strengthen and smooth out the road surface on the 7.8-kilometre stretch on Flinders Highway.
“We are continuing to improve roads across northern Australia to strengthen connections between communities and make sure people driving through this part of the country can do so as safely as possible.
“The works which are being done under this package will deliver more space between opposing lanes of traffic, vastly reducing the risk of head on crashes and creating a safer and more efficient Flinders Highway between Townsville and Torrens Creek,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said.
According to Federal Minister for Northern Australia Matthew Canavan, this project will underpin the industries in the region, with Flinders Highway forming a part of the road network that will serve the mineral provinces in the north-west and north-east as well as carry freight to the Port of Townsville.
“This is one of the major northern Australian freight routes, and these upgrades will ensure this section is capable of supporting larger vehicles carrying heavier loads.
“We’re investing in agriculture and industry in Northern Australia, and that will mean more products have to get to market. It’s critical both the Australian and Queensland Government support the region’s ability to take advantage of new economic opportunities,” Senator Canavan said.
Construction on Flinders Highway upgrade between Townsville and Torrens Creek is set to commence in early 2018, with completion expected by mid-2019.
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Source: Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Department of Transport and Main Roads