Tenders called for $17M Flinders Highway widening

Tenders are being called to deliver the $17 million Flinders Highway widening and safety works between Townsville and Torrens Creek in Queensland.

The project is aimed at reducing the risk of head-on and run-off crashes on the highway and is partly funded under the Federal Government’s $600 million Northern Australia Roads Program (NARP).

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the Australian Government had committed up to $13.6 million under NARP to widen, strengthen and smooth-out the road surface along approximately 8 kilometres of the Flinders Highway.

“The works which are being done under this package will deliver more space between opposing lanes of traffic, vastly reducing the risk of head on crashes and creating a safer and more efficient Flinders Highway between Townsville and Torrens Creek,” he said.

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Federal Minister for Northern Australia Matthew Canavan said the project would also underpin the region’s industries, with the Flinders Highway forming part of the road network that served the north-west and north-east mineral provinces and carried freight to the Port of Townsville.

“This is one of the major northern Australian freight routes, and these upgrades will ensure this section is capable of supporting larger vehicles carrying heavier loads,” Mr. Canavan said.

“We’re investing in agriculture and industry in Northern Australia, and that will mean more products have to get to market. It’s critical both the Australian and Queensland Governments support the region’s ability to take advantage of new economic opportunities.”

Construction on the Flinders Highway project is expected to begin in early 2018, with an expected completion date of mid-2019.

The Australian Government and Queensland Government have committed up to $13.6 million and $3.4 million to the project, respectively.