A BOOST in roads funding for the city of Rockhampton in central Queensland is expected to improve the movement of regional freight.
Rockhampton is important for the cattle trade and is also one of the most significant Queensland cities outside the South East of the state.
The state government is talking up its role in bankrolling the Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade.
“Combined with the $36m Bruce Highway Safety project at Terranova Drive, we will have duplicated nearly 5km of the highway through Parkhurst and Glenlee when this project finishes in mid-2020.”
Transport minister Mark Bailey said the budget had also included $14.9 million for Rockhampton Road Train Access Stage Two works.
“These works will improve safety and more efficient freight delivery, resulting in cost-savings for operators,” Mr Bailey said.
Mr Bailey said major roads projects listed in the 2019-20 state budget, including projects funded in partnership with the Federal government, included $200m towards the jointly-funded $1bn Rockhampton Ring Road project
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the budget demonstrated the government’s commitment to Regional Queensland.
“We know how important it is to provide the local economy with some certainty,” Ms Palaszczuk said.
The Premier said major upgrades being prioritised in the works program would fix traffic bottlenecks in growing communities and improve road safety in the “beef capital”.
