Queensland will see a $289.6 million injection into road safety upgrades in the second half of the financial year as part of the Federal Government’s $2 billion Road Safety Program.
The Federal Government has approved $225 million of road safety upgrades with an additional $64.6 million provided by the Queensland Government.
The majority of the funding will be provided to regional roads, with all proposed upgrades required to be completed by 30 June, 2021.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the focus will be on regional areas, and will include a widening of the Bruce Highway in Rockhampton.
“Of this $289.6 million, $267.4 million has been earmarked for regional Queensland, demonstrating the substantial focus we are placing on our regional communities,” he said.
“Communities such as Rockhampton will benefit through projects such as upgrading intersections and roadside widening on the Bruce Highway at Nielsen Avenue and projects to improve safety for vulnerable road users on various sections of the Bruce Highway.
“These build on major existing investments such as the $158 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade, which will increase safety and reduce travel times by increasing the capacity on the Bruce Highway to four lanes.”
The road upgrades will prove to be a vital upgrade for logistics, with the upgrades building off major projects, including the $480 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Cairns, the $1 billion Gympie Bypass and the $514.3 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville.
Queensland Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the funding will improve local business and industry.
“With billions of dollars being injected into Queensland’s economy thanks to local businesses and industry, making our supply chains continue to see sustained and additional investment is a welcome outcome for jobs and for the thousands of families who live here,” he said.
A total 87 projects will be completed within the next six month and will generate 1000 jobs, Queensland’s Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Ryan said.
“It means in just over a year, the Queensland and Australian governments have delivered more than $5 billion in stimulus to build roads and create jobs as part the state’s economic recovery plan,” he said.