Another milestone for the Townsville Ring Road

the townsville ring road stage five map — Image: Department of Transport and Main Roads, Queensland.

The $230 million Townsville Ring Road stage five project has reached a new milestone with the opening of a new exit ramp.

From today, the first of four ramps at the interchange connecting Beck Drive to the Ring Road will open to traffic, allowing travel to Hervey Range Road and Gouldian Avenue.

Mark Bailey, Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister, said it was a major milestone for the project, which was supporting jobs and improving roads in the region.

“More than 17,000 people drive this section of road each day, so I’m sure each of those drivers will appreciate progress on this project,” he said.

From Friday 16 September, traffic will be switched onto the new Ring Road alignment, including onto the new overpass at Beck Drive. Once this occurs, the eastbound exit ramp from the Ring Road to Riverway Drive will be permanently closed.

A Ring Road entry ramp at Riverway Drive eastbound will also be temporarily closed while it is reconfigured to connect to the upgraded motorway.

A new Ring Road entry ramp at Beck Drive will instead provide eastbound travel access from the area.

Catherine King, Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, said the project was delivering road safety and travel time improvements for North Queenslanders.

“While there is more work to be done, the traffic switches this month show just how much progress has been made to date,” she said.

“Soon motorists will enjoy a four-lane highway through Townsville – including University Drive and the Ring Road – and much safer road conditions.”

Work continues on the remainder of the project, which will include the construction of remaining entry and exit ramps at Beck Drive, which will provide all-direction access on and off the Ring Road.

The Townsville Ring Road stage five project is jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

The project is being delivered by the Georgiou AECOM consortium, and is due for completion in mid to late 2023.

For more information, visit: www.tmr.qld.gov.au