The jointly funded $30 million Torbanlea-Pialba Road upgrade in Queensland is a step closer to having improved flood immunity following the call for tenders to build this vital project.
This significant milestone keeps the project on track to begin construction in the first half of 2022.
“Three floodways along Torbanlea-Pialba Road, between Churchill Mine Road and Toogoom Road, will be upgraded, including a new, four-span, concrete bridge across Beelbi Creek.
“The Australian Government is investing in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway, with projects from Brisbane to Cairns. This will benefit Queensland locals, tourists and industry all along this key north-south route,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said.
This project will also deliver intersection upgrades to provide a more resilient and safer connection for Harvey Bay as well as the surrounding communities.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said: “Queensland’s wild weather can cause flooding, which can have an impact on how locals travel.
“This project is one the community has called for and I’m proud to be delivering through our record $27.5 billion road and transport plan.”
As part of the Hinkler Regional Deal, several roads in the Harvey Bay area are being upgraded, delivering safety as well as productivity benefits to the region.
“The Deal is supporting local industry and the community, setting a clear path to economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic,” Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories Nola Marino said.
With Queensland’s unpredictable weather, upgrading the Torbalea-Pialba Road will improve its flood immunity to provide motorists with a flood-free road when a one-in-100-year flood occurs.
“Not only is this used by local residents, it’s frequented by tourists and an important freight route for many businesses in the Wide Bay Burnett region.
“We need to ensure that people can get where they need to, when they need to and this will also improve safety, create jobs and support our economic recovery,” Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said.
The call for tenders to deliver the Torbanlea-Pialba Road upgrade is a big milestone that will get the gear going on this vital project.
This flood immunity upgrade is funded through the Australian Government’s Road of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative and is jointly funded together with the Queensland Government – each contributing $24 million and $6 million respectively.
“I look forward to providing my community with certainty around when this project will be delivered.
“Once the construction contract has been awarded, we’ll have a better understanding of the timeframes for delivery,” Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development; Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories; Good News Fraser Coast; Australian Government – Department of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Communications