The construction of four new bridges and overpasses are progressing on the Townsville Ring Road in Queensland, as works advance on the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 (TRR5) project.
The TRR5 project will duplicate the only remaining two-lane section of the Townsville Ring Road between Vickers Bridge and Shaw Road.
In addition to improving road safety and traffic efficiency, the TRR5 project will improve local connectivity to important employment centres and essential services in Townsville, including Lavarack Barracks, James Cook University and Townsville University Hospital.
The TRR5 project will also see the installation of Intelligent Transport Systems, drainage for flood mitigation and noise mitigation measures.
In August 2020, TMR awarded a contract to the Georgiou AECOM consortium to design and construct the TRR5 project.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the works are already delivering benefits to the region, with a strong focus on using materials and suppliers from the Townsville area.
“More than 17,000 vehicles use this section each day, 12 per cent of which are freight vehicles,” he said. “When the upgrade is completed, these passenger and freight vehicles will benefit from improved efficiency and safety, reduced travel times and better access to the region.”
As a result of the works, more than $40 million has been injected into Townsville and the surrounding region.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said more than 200,000 tonnes of material had already been delivered to form the new Bruce Highway carriageway and bridge approaches.
“The project will duplicate the Ring Road between Vickers Bridge and Shaw Road to four lanes and install new bridges and overpasses at the Bohle and Little Bohle Rivers, and at Beck Drive and Hervey Range Developmental Road,” Bailey said.
“The end result will be improved safety and efficiency for road users, and better access between the Upper Ross and the Ring Road, especially for locals heading to and from key employment areas such as the hospital and university.”
Bridge piling has already been complete on two of the four major structures.
The $230 million upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian ($186 million) and Queensland ($46 million) governments on an 80:20 funding split. It is due for completion in 2023.
The Federal Government funding will form part of the $10 billion 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program to improve road safety, capacity and flood resilience between Brisbane and Cairns.
For more information on the project, click here.
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