Design of Mackay Northern Access Upgrade Project Stage 1 released
17 April 2018
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The project will improve safety and traffic flows on the Bruce Highway and in northern Mackay
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Highway between Ron Camm Bridge and Mackay-Bucasia Road to be widened to six lanes
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Design works part of the $8.5 billion investment to make the Bruce Highway safer and more efficient
Queensland Government:
Congestion-relief designs for the
Mackay Northern
Access Upgrade Project Stage 1 are paving the way to a better
Bruce
Highway north of
Mackay.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport
Michael McCormack said the upgrade would improve safety and help relieve
increasing pressure on the
highway and northern Mackay’s
road network.
“Demand on the regional road network has been steadily growing and we
are getting on the front foot with road infrastructure investments that
will deliver a safer and more efficient Bruce Highway and improve
traffic flows in the north of Mackay,” Mr McCormack said.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said
Stage 1 of the project included widening the highway to six lanes from
the Ron Camm
Bridge to Mackay-Bucasia Road intersection and widening to four
lanes from Mackay-Bucasia Road to the Davey Street overpass. The project
also includes upgrading several major intersections.
“Motorists who travel along this stretch of the Bruce Highway know just
how heavy traffic can be,” Mr Bailey said.
“Providing additional lanes and major upgrades of key intersections –
including Sams Road and Mackay-Bucasia Road – will reduce peak-hour
congestion.”
Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the project would
streamline an important freight transport route, with Mackay roads
carrying about 15 to 20 million tonnes of freight every year.
“This project will provide the major improvements needed to support
industry in Mackay, including safer, more efficient access to Mackay’s
port,” Mr Christensen said.
Queensland Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert said 30,000 to 40,000
vehicles a day use the Bruce Highway north of the Pioneer River.
“Once design works and extensive community consultation are finalised we
expect Stage 1 of this major project to start in late 2018 and the
entire project to be completed by mid-2020, weather permitting,” Ms
Gilbert said.
Stage 2 of the project will include upgrading the Davey Street overpass
and widening the highway to four lanes to align with the Mackay Ring
Road approximately 350 metres north of Bald Hill Road.
The
Australian Government has committed $64 million to the Mackay
Northern Access Upgrade Project with the Queensland Government
contributing $16 million.
--ENDS--
Source: Queensland Government - www.statements.qld.gov.au
Contact: Dominic Geiger, 0447355565
External Links: N/A
Recent news by: Queensland Government