The $497.3 million Mackay Ring Road project in Queensland has reached a major milestone, with the announcement of successful tenderer to build Stage 1 of the project.
CIMIC Group company, CPB Contractors, has been selected by the Department of Transport and Main Roads to deliver Stage 1 of the Mackay Ring Road project in Queensland. CPB Contractors are due to start in coming weeks and continue for several years.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Darren Chester, said, “The Australian Government is investing almost $400 million in the Mackay Ring Road project as part of our 10-year, $8.5 billion joint commitment to fix the Bruce Highway.
“The ring road is going to be a game-changer for the region, by enhancing the capacity, safety and efficiency of the highway and reducing travel times for vehicles going through Mackay by 50 per cent and port-bound fuel and sugar trucks by 20 to 30 per cent.”
Acting Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports, Steven Miles, said the Queensland Government was investing $99.4 million for the ring road which is also the largest project ever undertaken by the Department of Transport and Main Roads in the Mackay/Whitsunday region.
“Stage 1 of the project will upgrade an 11.3km section of the Bruce Highway between Stockroute and Bald Hill roads, addressing current traffic congestion problems and reducing accident risks,” Mr Miles said.
“The project will also include major crossings of the Pioneer River which will be built to a one-in-100-year flood immunity level, vastly reducing the potential for road closures.”
Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen, said the project would remove heavy vehicles from the Mackay CBD and residential areas by providing a bypass for all vehicles without a destination in Mackay.
“This is a massive project for the region – we’re going to see 13 new bridges being built as part of it – and I believe an average of 534 jobs will be supported during construction of the bypass,” Mr Christensen said.
“We need jobs, jobs, jobs in this region and I call on the successful bidder to ensure that the majority of these jobs are for local people.”
Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said locals would be extremely pleased to see the ring road project proceeding.
“Mackay people have called for this road for many years, and I’m happy to see it’s finally underway,” Ms Gilbert said.
“In a region like Mackay, that regularly experiences severe weather events like flooding, it’s vital there are multiple transport options available.”
Member for Mirani, Jim Pearce, said the ring road, when built, would particularly benefit locals who commuted to Mackay from surrounding areas.
“We’re expecting travel time to be significantly reduced and safety increased once this project is complete,” Mr Pearce said.
Construction is expected to be completed in early 2020,.
The $497.3 million Bruce Highway—Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) project is being funded by the Australian Government ($397.9 million) and Queensland Government ($99.4 million).
