Four new bridges and overpasses are taking shape on the Townsville Ring Road, as works progress on the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 (TRR5) works.
The $230 million upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 funding split and is due for completion in 2023.
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.
“The TRR5 project will provide long-term improvements to traffic flow and road safety on the Bruce Highway in Townsville,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This upgrade is about ensuring the Bruce Highway can meet the strategic transport needs of the Townsville region well into the future.
“More than 17,000 vehicles use this section each day, 12 per cent of which are freight vehicles.
“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.”
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.
Excellent progress has been made during the first six months of works, with bridge piling completed on two of the four major structures.
Coming back from a short Christmas break, works will continue at a swift pace as crews push ahead with bridge and road construction works along the 6km alignment.
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said the project was extremely important for the Townsville region.
“There’s nothing more important when it comes to our roads than safety, and the Bruce Highway is the busiest and most critical road in Queensland,” Thompson said.