The Queensland Government will deliver $210 million in 2017-18 and $1.13 billion over the next four years in the Mackay Whitsunday district as part of an investment in road and transport infrastructure.
2017-18 Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) Major Projects for Mackay Whitsunday include:
- $70 million in 2017-18, to construct the new two-lane Mackay Ring Road, at a total cost of $497.8 million
- $36.4 million in 2017-18, to realign the Peak Downs Highway at Eton Range, at a total cost of $189.2 million
- $13.1 million in 2017-18, to replace the existing Sandy Gully Bridge on the Bruce Highway between Bowen and Ayr, at a total cost of $57.5 million
- $6.8 million in 2017-18, to replace two bridges on the Mackay-Slade Point Road at Vines Creek, at a total cost of $28 million
Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety, Mark Bailey, said,“The funding for Mackay Whitsunday is part of the Queensland Government’s delivery of road and transport infrastructure across the state, with about $21 billion of works planned, supporting 17,000 jobs over the next four years.
“The $565 million Mackay Ring Road is the largest project ever undertaken by the Queensland Government in the Mackay Whitsunday region.
“We’ve also committed to the construction of the $150 million Walkerston Bypass, on the Peak Downs Highway which will deliver benefits and more jobs for the region.
“Construction will begin following completion of the Mackay Ring Road stage one project, extending the pipeline of local jobs, and in 2017-18 we’ll be continuing preliminary design of the project.”
Member for Mackay, Julieanne Gilbert, said this year’s budget showed the Queensland Government’s commitment to delivering key infrastructure and creating jobs for the people of Mackay and the entire state.
“The continued funding of the Mackay Ring Road is a significant project for the region, with $70 million committed in 2017-18,” Ms Gilbert said.
Member for Mirani, Jim Pearce, said work was underway to repair the Sarina Range Road, which suffered unprecedented damage during Cyclone Debbie.
“With the significant impacts from Cyclone Debbie felt earlier this year, funding of $105 million has been allocated across Queensland in 2017-18 to undertake restoration works which includes Sarina Range,” Mr Pearce said.
“Our engineers are working long hours to design and detail a permanent solution and outcome as soon as possible to get reconstruction work underway.
“Given the mammoth damage, we need to monitor slope stability due to the possibility of further landslips.
“We are providing $3.4 million in funding to local governments through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme (TIDS) to fund the development of transport related infrastructure.
“$70 million will be invested in 2017-18 and $280 million over four years across the state which means local governments will be able to fund the development of transport related infrastructure.”
