ROSI ride ahead for south west Queenslanders

March 8, 2022

The Australian Government and Maranoa Regional Council will deliver $6 million to rehabilitate and widen around 15 kilometres of Arcadia Valley Road to increase road safety while supporting quicker and more reliable trips year-round for commuters and freight.

The project is being funded on an 80:20 split between the Australian Government, under its almost $5 billion Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative, and the Maranoa Regional Council.

Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the project complements other road safety upgrades currently underway in the region.

“Not only is this road key for local primary industries to get their produce and other goods to local and international markets, but it is a vital access point for visitors coming through and seeing what this part of Queensland has to offer,” Mr Littleproud said.

“This is yet another example of the Australian Government investing in the road infrastructure regional Queenslanders need and deserve to stay well-connected to each other and to opportunities such as jobs, for businesses to seamlessly get their goods to markets, and to keep all drivers safe on our roads.”

“This project is coming to life thanks to the Australian Government’s over $1 billion commitment to upgrading key road corridors in Queensland under ROSI.

“We recently saw the nearby $1.3 million Carnarvon Highway and Arcadia Valley Road intersection upgrade completed, as well as $3.9 million in safety treatments along the Carnarvon Highway at Orange Hill thanks to ROSI, and I’m thrilled to secure another vital project for Central Queenslanders,” Mr Littleproud said.

Assistant Minister for Road Safety and Freight Transport Scott Buchholz said the project would ensure the road is safer and more resilient to wet weather, reducing the need to take lengthy detours and putting valuable time back into motorists’ days.

“Whether you are a truckie with a load of spoilable goods, or en route to a nearby job opportunity, having a wider or sealed road that is more resilient to flooding will give road users greater peace of mind that they’ll be able to safely pass through without disruptive detours,” Assistant Minister Buchholz said.

“We are delivering a record $110 billion in infrastructure funding across the nation to deliver projects like this, to get Australians home sooner and safer and underpin a stronger national economy.”

Mayor of Maranoa Regional Council Tyson Golder said upgrading Arcadia Valley Road will have a real impact for both motorists and local businesses.

“Not only is this an important link for locals and visitors through the beautiful Arcadia Valley region, but it connects our renowned local-grown produce and agricultural businesses to markets,” Mayor Golder said.

“Local businesses and their communities alike have felt the economic pinch of COVID-19, so I am thrilled to see the Australian and local government working together to get money flowing into road upgrades that will secure a stronger future for our region – while supporting jobs and keeping motorists safer.”

For more information on the Australian Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance initiative, visit https://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/roads-of-strategic-importance.aspx.