Main Roads to examine RACQ report on Queensland roads
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has welcomed a new Australian Road Assessment Program (AusRAP) report on state and national roads compiled by the RACQ. Mr Pitt said the Queensland Main Roads Department would department will examine the report to consider how its findings could be incorporated into the department’s program of works.
(Media-Newswire.com) - Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt has welcomed a new Australian Road Assessment Program ( AusRAP ) report on state and national roads compiled by the RACQ.
Mr Pitt said the Queensland Main Roads Department would department will examine the report to consider how its findings could be incorporated into the department’s program of works.
“Improving road safety is crucial, which is why Main Roads has already allocated more than $1 billion to road safety-related works over the next five years, including for many roads identified in the report,” Mr Pitt said.
"For example, only last Friday I announced a package of road safety and traffic management measures for the Kuranda Range Road in far north Queensland.
“Queensland roads that are part of the national highway network will be targeted for improved safety, and we will work closely with the federal government for a greater allocation of funds for these roads.”
“Queensland has also placed greater emphasis on works designed to improve safety, as part of its involvement in the National Road Safety Strategy.
"Main Roads already places high priority on projects that improve road safety and we currently have an extensive program of works in place," Mr Pitt said.
"However, this independent report furnished by the RACQ will help with the on-going assessment by Main Roads of key priorities, and in directing available funding to where it is most needed."
Mr Pitt said in the meantime Main Roads had completed, commenced or was in the process of planning work to improve key roads identified in the RACQ report. This work includes:
Bruce Highway – Cooroy to Gympie Work is currently underway on this section of the Bruce Highway, which includes a $70.8 million duplication to four lanes through Gympie, the construction of overtaking lanes to the south of Gympie costing $4.8 million, a $5.75 million intersection upgrade of the Black Mountain Road/Pioneer Road intersection and $840,000 in resurfacing works at the intersection of Tandur Road.
A planning study for the Cooroy to Curra stretch of the Bruce Highway is due for release early next year. The study investigates the long-term upgrade of 65km of the Bruce Highway, including the identification of the best route, a long-term bypass of Gympie and the development of a strategy for progressive upgrading.
Bruce Highway – Innisfail to Cairns The State Government is progressing the delivery of $348 million of upgrade works between Townsville and Cairns. The works include a new $50 million bridge over the Mulgrave River, which is due to be open by late 2009 and design work for three overtaking lanes to be constructed at a cost of $24.7 million. Road surface improvements and bridge reconditioning works totalling more than $11 million are also being carried out along various sections of the highway. Traffic lights were installed at the intersection with Lily Street, Innisfail at a cost of $1.1 million in July this year.
Brisbane Valley Highway – Ipswich to Forest Hill-Fernvale Road The need for a future upgrade of the Warrego Highway/Brisbane Valley Highway Interchange was identified by the National Highway System Forward Strategy Report ( 2002-03 to 2006-07 ), as part of the South East Queensland Infrastructure Plan and Program. Community consultation was undertaken last year and a preferred option is due to be released early to mid 2008. Work will start next year to rehabilitate sections of the Brisbane Valley Highway at a cost of $1.24 million.
Captain Cook Highway – Cairns to Port Douglas A detailed study released in 2001, found that safety measures should be given priority on the Captain Cook Highway between Buchan Point and Port Douglas. Since 2003, Main Roads has spent $1 million per year on such safety improvements including shoulder widening, warning signs and safety barriers. Work on the realignment of the highway at Red Cliff Point will start in early January. A seawall will be built as part of this project to ensure optimum safety for road users.
D'Aguilar Highway – Caboolture to Kilcoy A total of $24 million has been allocated to construct a Kilcoy Bypass, upgrade the intersection with Mary Street and build a new two-lane bridge over Kilcoy Creek. Design work is currently underway and construction is expected to start in 2010. Other work identified for this section of the D'Aguilar Highway includes the rehabilitation and widening of a 3km stretch between Villeneuve Road and Arnolds Road North, at a cost of $5.2 million and a $1.5 million Safer Roads Sooner shoulder sealing project between R Williams Road and J Lindsay Road. Construction on both will start mid next year. The Sheepstation Creek Bridge will be replaced at a cost of $3.8 million, with work expected to be finished by mid 2009.
D'Aguilar Highway – Harlin to Kingaroy Wallaby Creek Bridge No. 2 will be replaced next year, with asphalt resurfacing and pull-off area construction to be undertaken on the Blackbutt Range in early 2008. Construction of overtaking lanes near Blackbutt, at a cost of $900 000 is currently underway, with a culvert replacement costing $130 000, near Yarraman scheduled for 2008. Sandy Creek Bridge will be replaced within two years at a cost of $2.2 million.
Mount Lindesay Highway – Park Ridge to Beaudesert A $90 million upgrade of 4.5km of the Mount Lindesay Highway between Green Road and Granger Road at Park Ridge has started. Previous work completed on Mount Lindesay Highway between Park Ridge and Beaudesert includes shoulder widening costing $78,000, intersection improvements at Tamborine and Johanna Streets in Jimboomba at a cost of $450,000, intersection improvements and traffic signal installation at South Street in Jimboomba costing $1 million and the construction of an interchange at Stoney Camp Road at a cost of $9 million. More than $250 million has been allocated to duplicate the highway from two to four lanes from Rosia Road to Jimboomba, with work to start next year.
Warrego Highway – Helidon to Toowoomba $4 million has been allocated to the rehabilitation and resurfacing of the Toowoomba Range road. Work on the down lanes was completed recently, with work on the up lanes to start in February. The eventual construction of a Toowoomba Bypass is expected to significantly improve the efficiency of the road network in this area.
Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road A total of $25.6 million has been allocated to upgrade three sections of Maryborough to Hervey Bay Road ( known locally as Boat Harbour Drive ). Work will start early next year. A $6.2 million upgrade of Boat Harbour Drive between Bideford Street and Elizabeth Street, including intersection improvements and the installation of a set of traffic lights, was completed in August 2006. A $1.7 million project replacing a roundabout at Central Avenue with traffic lights is in its final stages.
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
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