NORTH Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation has announced road works soon will begin to create a secondary access for the Port of Mackay.

Chief executive Nicolas Fertin said work to extend the road from Edmund Casey Drive to Slade Point Road was starting this month October and was expected to be finished early in the new year.

“Extending the road by 500 metres along existing port property will unlock developable land,” Mr Fertin said.

ADVERTISEMENT  

“These works will also improve the safe and efficient operations of the port. It will provide a secondary emergency access route and minimise interaction between port and public traffic along Spiller Avenue.”

Mr Fertin said the community would benefit from the project by gaining more direct access to North Wall beach via Slade Point Road.

Locals are expected to experience changes to traffic flow on Spiller Avenue, Edmund Casey Drive and Slade Point Road.

Queensland construction company Shadforth has been awarded the contract.

Shadforth Civil is expected to use five to 10 Mackay-based subcontractors during the project.

The total project cost is expected to be about $2.9m. Mr Fertin said NQBP will keep the community informed about the project’s progress.