Mr. Bailey discussed 11 road construction programs at the briefing that had been identified to be brought forward and provide job opportunities for locals.
“I’m pleased to announce a total of $77.6 million of road projects are being accelerated for delivery in the Townsville region to support the local economy and create and sustain jobs,” he said in a statement.
“These 11 projects will create an estimated 243 jobs, which means more employment opportunities for locals at a time when Townsville is feeling the pinch.
“The sooner we can get these projects started, the sooner we can get people back into work.
“For every million dollars we spend on improving our road network, we provide more jobs that will support locals, their families and the community.”
Key projects to be delivered under the program include five overtaking lanes on the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Ayr, and widening and strengthening sections of Hervey’s Range Road.
Further information on the Worker Transition Scheme is also available on the Department of State Development’s website at www.statedevelopment.qld.gov.au.
Mr Bailey said the department was working to finalise the planning and pre-construction so work could start as soon as possible.
“We will call tenders for the first project, the Arnot Creek Bridge replacement, in February, with three more tenders to be called in April.”
Some of the 11 projects identified for accelerated delivery are:
- Construction of overtaking lanes at five locations on the Bruce Highway between Ingham and north of Ayr, providing 130 estimated jobs
- Replacement of the Arnot Creek Bridge on the Bruce Highway south of Ingham, providing 31 estimated jobs
- Intersection safety improvements, wide centre-line treatments and road widening on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville, providing 58 estimated jobs.
- Widening and strengthening sections of Hervey’s Range Road and installation of wide centre-line treatments, providing 19 estimated jobs
- Construction of a heavy vehicle decoupling facility on the Townsville Port Access Road, providing five estimated jobs.
Construction is expected to start on the first of the projects in July.