EXTRA UPGRADES CEMENTED FOR CARNARVON HIGHWAY

WORKS start later this month on a $7.28 million upgrade package on the Carnarvon Highway between St George and Surat, and between Injune and Rolleston.

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack, said the Australian Government injected $3.64 million to ensure enhancements continued to be delivered along the Carnarvon Highway.

“Right around Australia the Federal Government is investing in better roads to get you home sooner and safer,” Mr McCormack said.

“Safer roads save lives. They also create jobs and we have a plan to make country roads safer around the nation.”

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Queensland Government also committed $3.64 million to ensure upgrades continued to be delivered.

“The upgrades include widening 7.25km of the Carnarvon Highway over several sections between St George and Surat, including four culvert extensions,” he said.

“Between Injune and Rolleston, the upgrades include widening 3.3km of the highway over several sections, including a further five culvert extensions.

“We’re committed to building and maintaining Queensland roads with Queensland labour.

“These works will support more than 20 jobs and deliver safer roads for freight operators and the community.”

Maranoa MP and Minister for Water David Littleproud said the works were identified as a national priority.

“We identified the additional upgrades to be a national priority, with works improving safety and heavy vehicle productivity on this key connector for the coal and energy provinces of the Surat, St George and Galilee Basins,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Cotton and grain producers of central and north Queensland who use the Carnarvon Highway will also be able to get product to market more efficiently, improving national productivity and competitiveness.”

Funding was equally committed by the Australian and Queensland governments under the latest round of the Heavy Vehicle Safety and Productivity Program (HVSPP).

Carnarvon Highway works between St George and Surat are expected to start in late June, while the works between Injune and Rolleston are expected to start in late July 2019.

For information on TMR projects, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects.