Widening and sealing works are taking place on regional roads in south-west Queensland over the next few months.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the jointly funded $158.05 million Regional Economic Enabling Fund (REEF) is delivering targeted road upgrades across regional Queensland.
“The REEF package comprises 25 small-scale projects aimed at driving economic and regional growth,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“These projects will provide remote communities with more employment opportunities and better connect people to other vital services.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was working with all levels of government to deliver regional road infrastructure to support jobs and the COVID-19 economic recovery.
“More than $5 billion in joint stimulus funding has been announced since late 2019, creating jobs on more than 200 road projects across Queensland,” Mr Bailey said.
“Replacing bridges and culverts and upgrading floodways, these projects help maintain our vast road network and deliver better efficiency for the freight industry.
“Over the next four years, we’ll deliver a record $17.8 billion for regional road projects, supporting more than 16,000 jobs at a time when they’ve never been more important.
“Widening and sealing roads like the Diamantina Developmental Road and Carnarvon Highway improves safety and means better access during wet weather, cutting travel times and improving productivity.”
Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said these REEF projects will deliver works including progressive sealing, pavement strengthening and widening and bridge and floodway upgrades across remote, rural and regional Queensland.
“The REEF package will provide many benefits to the communities and improve connectivity between people with jobs and services, as well as goods with markets,” Mr Littleproud said.
Nearly $30 million of projects in south-west Queensland are being delivered under the REEF program, including:
- $2.15 million for road widening on various sections of the Diamantina Developmental Road (Charleville – Quilpie), between 69.59 kilometres to 71.7 kilometres west of Charleville.
- $1.8 million to construct the Bollon West flood levee on the Balonne Highway (Bollon – Cunnamulla).
- $4.5 million for road widening and sealing on various sections of the Carnarvon Highway (Mungindi – St George), between 82 kilometres to 85 kilometres north of Mungindi.
- $5.22 million for road widening on various sections of the Carnarvon Highway (Injune – Rolleston), between 46.14 kilometres to 50.5 kilometres north of Injune.
- $4.5 million for road widening on various sections of the Diamantina Developmental Road (Charleville – Quilpie), between 149.48 kilometres to 180.5 kilometres west of Charleville.
- $5.12 million for road widening and strengthening on various sections of the Roma – Condamine Road, about 100 kilometres west of Condamine.
- $1.36 million to widen and replace a culvert on the Carnarvon Highway (Roma – Injune), about 53.6 kilometres north of Roma.
- $4.5 million for road widening and sealing on various sections of the Mitchell Highway (Cunnamulla – Charleville), between 132.3 kilometres to 156 kilometres north of Cunnamulla.
The overall REEF program is jointly funded, with the Australian Government investing a total of $126.44 million and Queensland Government committing $31.61 million.
For up-to-date road condition information, call 13 19 40, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or downloads the QldTraffic app.
For more information about the project go to www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects
