The Australian and Queensland Governments have released design plans for the $121 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade Stage 1 project this week.
The jointly funded upgrade will deliver four lanes and multiple new intersections north of Rockhampton, Queensland to help accommodate the growing commercial and residential area.
Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the project will create 118 jobs, address safety concerns and improve travel times for the road user, including a ‘significant’ mix of heavy vehicles, local and tourist traffic.
“This upgrade will see the Bruce Highway widened to four lanes through Parkhurst, just north of Rockhampton, and will include construction of second bridge crossings at Limestone Creek and Ramsay Creek,” he said.
Queensland Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Minister Mark Bailey said the project design includes new service roads providing direct access to industrial and commercial land to reduce the volume of turning vehicles and improve traffic flow.
“With the development of land adjacent to the Bruce Highway in Parkhurst, we plan to reduce the number of private accesses and redirect heavy vehicles entering and exiting the highway to nearby intersections,” Mr. Bailey said.
“The large roundabout proposed in the area of Stirling Drive is also a significant statement piece for the northern entrance to Rockhampton, of similar size and impact as the Yeppen Roundabout.”
New intersections will also be developed at Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road, Boundary Road (North), Olive Street and Stirling Drive, with two new service roads providing access to local businesses on the western side of the Bruce Highway.
Tenders are expected to be sought for construction by late 2017, with start of works in early 2018.
The project is anticipated to be complete by late 2019.