Contractor completes upgrades for Flinders Highway Queensland

Contractor FKG Group has upgraded more than six kilometres of the Flinders Highway between Townsville and Torrens Creek, as part of a $22 million safety upgrade.

The highway has been widened at Mingela and Sellheim and wide centre line treatments were installed to separate oncoming vehicles. FKG Group began works in June 2018 and the project supported 51 jobs.

Planning to widen a further 1.5 kilometres of the highway has also started.

The upgrades were funded under the Northern Australia Roads Program (NARP).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said through the NRAP we are delivering vital upgrades that improve transport networks.

“This Flinders Highway upgrade will improve safety, travel times and conditions for tourism and supply vehicles. Upgrades such as these will also enhance liveability in rural communities, by making roads to and from major cities safer and more accessible,” he said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Queensland Government had also provided additional funding for intersection upgrades to be delivered as part of the widening works.

“As well as the six kilometres of widening works, we also used $1.3 million from our government’s Safer Roads Sooner program to install right-turn lanes at the Dotswood Road, Mingela Road and School Street intersections to improve safety,” Mr. Bailey said.

Earlier this month work was started to repair flood damaged sections of the highway between Hughenden and Julia Creek.

Projects under the $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program are funded by the federal and state governments on an 80:20 basis.

The $22.2 million Flinders Highway widening project includes federal and state government contributions of $17.8 million and $4.4 million.