Construction date set for $280m Rockhampton Ring Road project

Rockhampton Ring Road

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The first phase of construction for the $280m Rockhampton Ring Road to begin in 2023, including the upgrade of several connecting roads in Queensland.

The Australian and Queensland Governments have agreed to get the first phase of construction for the Rockhampton Ring Road started in 2023, following the early works currently underway.

The agreement will see a $280 million package of construction works kick off next year, including upgrading several connecting roads.

This will include upgrades to Boundary Road, McLaughlin Street, Monier Road Overpass and the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road intersection.

It will also provide a connection for the future project to West Rockhampton, including an upgrade to Lion Creek Bridge and links to local roads.

The large package of works represents the start of a new construction phase for the project and follows several months of close cooperation between the two governments to assess the best way to get the project moving. Construction will start in 2023.

“I’m pleased to say we’ve reached a new funding agreement between the Queensland and Federal Governments to get the project underway,” says Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King. 

“The Albanese Government is committed to Central Queensland, which is why the federal budget delivered $200 million in new funding for the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Gladstone, and $400 million in new funding for beef and cattle corridors which will include roads in Central Queensland,” says Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King. 

“Our budget also delivered another $400 million towards the Inland Freight Route, the second Bruce Highway – taking the total to $800 million, plenty of which will go towards key roads in Central Queensland,” says Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King. 

This positive step for the project comes as early works for the Rockhampton Ring Road ramp up today, with the standing up of power poles underway at Pink Lily to ready the new road corridor for construction.

“This will help support local jobs and contractors, and the project long term – a brilliant outcome for our local community,” says State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga. 

“The works are part of a huge infrastructure pipeline in Central Queensland, which includes the $80 million Rockhampton – Yeppoon Road upgrade and the $19 million upgrade of Rockhampton – Emu Park Road, with construction on both projects just around the corner,” says State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga.

“This means there is work on the way for our local contractors and suppliers, and the project will be supporting jobs over the next 12 months,” says State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga.

 

After nearly a decade in Government, the Federal Liberals and Nationals failed to start construction on the Ring Road.

“Barry O’Rourke and Brittany Lauga have advocated strongly for this project to get underway as soon as possible. The reality is, we had a Federal LNP Government in power for almost a decade who did nothing but dragged their feet on this road,” says Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.

“Both the state and federal governments remain committed to the project, and this new agreement is an obvious sign of that,” says Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey.

“The LNP Federal Government, which included Michelle Landry and Matt Canavan, was in office for almost a decade and did absolutely nothing on this road. But I’m glad to say the Palaszczuk Government is getting the early works going today,” says State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke.

“I want to see this project support as many local workers and contractors as possible, and this new agreement secures that,” says State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke.

The Albanese and Palaszczuk Governments have worked together since the October budget on this measure and are pleased to be able to deliver the new phase of this project.

Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2022 (Department of the Premier and Cabinet)

Image source: © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) 2010–2022

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