Contract awarded for Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade
09 April 2018
Federal Government: One
of North Queensland's most significant Bruce Highway upgrades is a step
closer with a design and construction contract awarded today for the
Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Michael McCormack said the project would improve safety and flood
resilience by upgrading 13.5 kilometres of highway, including realigning
the Reed Beds curve and building a new Haughton River Bridge and several
other wider, higher
bridges.
“The project also includes upgrading nine rural intersections, two
cane-rail overpasses and installing wide centrelines on the highway
north of Ayr,” Mr McCormack said.
“The works will improve the safety and reliability of this section of
the highway for residents of Townsville, regional visitors and road
freight operators servicing the tourism and other industries in the
region.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said
the new Haughton River Bridge would be more than 10 metres wide and
designed and built to withstand a one-in-100-year flood.
“This upgrade will be a significant improvement on the current bridge,
which is about seven metres wide and is regularly closed for extended
periods due to flooding,” Mr Bailey said.
“An average of 544 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the
project and contractors have been asked to demonstrate their commitment
to engaging local employees and businesses.”
Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said careful planning had
been done to reduce flood-related closures and minimise impacts on
nearby houses and farms.
“Making sure Giru residents downstream of the project are not impacted
by the works is a high priority,” Mr Christensen said.
“Locals are familiar with this area's flooding issues which occur every
two years on average and can last for more than four days in severe
weather. In fact, heavy rain caused an 18-hour closure earlier this
month.”
The upgrades will be designed and built by The Infrastructure Group
joint venture between Bielby, BMD Constructions, JF Hull and Albem Pty
Ltd with ARUP Group and HDR Inc. Construction of the project will start
in mid-2018 and be completed by around mid-2021, weather permitting.
The Australian Government has committed up to $411.4 million to the
project with the Queensland Government contributing $102.9 million.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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