Works complete on Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade

Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade now complete — Image courtesy of Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads.

The $158 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade has now been completed, with the motorway now widened to four lanes between Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road and Ramsay Creek.

The Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade addressed safety and capacity issues identified on the Bruce Highway seven kilometres north of the centre of Rockhampton.

The upgrade works aimed to increase capacity, improve network efficiency, provide greater road access, and improve the safety of the motorway.

As part of the construction, two new service roads on the western side of the highway were constructed, along with Northbound and southbound on-road bike riding facilities. A new bridge crossing at Limestone Creek and Ramsay Creek was also built.

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the completion of both the Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade and the $36 million Highway Safety Package project at Terranova Drive would ensure a safe and efficient journey for all road users.

“The Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade has addressed the traffic demand on the Bruce Highway, with about 12,750 vehicles per day, including 1,460 heavy vehicles, travelling through Parkhurst,” Landry said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade paved the way for the upcoming Rockhampton Ring Road.

“Over the next four years the Queensland Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport plan which is creating 24,000 jobs and driving the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19,” Mr Bailey said.

“This includes delivering $17.5 billion worth of project across regional Queensland.

“With the $158 million Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade now complete, we move onto the delivery of the biggest infrastructure project to ever be delivered in Central Queensland – the Rockhampton Ring Road.”

Queensland Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said the Rockhampton Ring Road project would give a big boost to many local businesses in the city.

“With construction kicking off in the new year, we’ll need local contractors and suppliers to deliver the works,” O’Rourke said.

The Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade created 255 jobs, with the future construction of the Rockhampton Ring Road expected to create around 783 jobs.

This major upgrade has been made possible by $126.4 million in funding from the Australian Government, while the Queensland Government provided $31.6 million.

These works follow the completion of the $75 million Capricorn Highway – Rockhampton to Gracemere Duplication, which supported an average of 187 direct jobs over the life of the project.