Locking in the Rockhampton Ring Road
20 November 2018
Federal Government: Federal
funding for the congestion-busting
Rockhampton Ring Road has been locked
in.
The Federal Liberal and Nationals Government will invest $800 million in
the project which will cut travel times and boost safety by taking
trucks off local streets.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the project was part of the
Government’s plan for a stronger economy and record investments in
infrastructure.
“The Ring Road will keep Rockhampton moving,” the Prime Minister said.
“We want to tackle congestion to make life easier for commuters and
better connect local farmers and businesses with their customers.
“Local MP Michelle Landry has been championing this project and our
Government has listened. We’re backing Rockhampton and we’re backing
Queenslanders.”
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and
Regional Development Michael McCormack said Michelle Landry’s advocacy
for the Ring Road had secured the investment.
Mr McCormack said the Rockhampton project was another example of
targeted local infrastructure delivery which meets the strategic wants
and needs of local communities.
“The Rockhampton Ring Road will improve flood immunity and deliver a new
crossing across the Fitzroy River which will ensure the
road stays open
for longer during severe wet weather to keep communities and emergency
services connected,” Mr McCormack said.
“For the community, this all translates to fewer closures, reduced
congestion and less time spent stuck in traffic.
“For freight vehicles, it means avoiding economic losses by keeping
goods moving when previously they had to wait for floodwaters to
subside.”
Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the Ring Road
investment was on top of the $52 million the Australian Government had
committed to the $65 million planning and corridor preservation works
being undertaken in partnership with the
Queensland Government.
“The plan and preserve project is examining all the necessary details in
terms of project scope, so the Ring Road is a key initiative we have
been preparing for,” Ms Landry said.
“Our community wants to spend less time in the car and more time with
their families, our businesses want to get out of traffic and get the
goods into stores, and we want to get freight trucks out of the CBD and
off suburban streets. This project will deliver all of that.
“The project is part of our Government’s commitment to delivering the
region’s infrastructure needs, with the alignment to integrate with
major infrastructure already completed, including the Yeppen Crossing
and the already approved Rockhampton Northern Access Upgrade.”
The improved flood immunity builds on the Government’s recent
announcement that the South Rockhampton Flood Levee project will proceed
to full business case development under the highly anticipated $272.2
million Regional Growth Fund.
The Ring Road is estimated to cost $1 billion with the $800 million
commitment from the Liberal and Nationals Government representing its 80
per cent contribution to the project. The project is subject to the
Queensland Government agreeing to 20 per cent of the costs.
The Rockhampton Ring Road commitment is an important example of the
investments being made under the Liberal and Nationals Government's $10
billion investment for the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which includes
an additional $3.3 billion announced in this year’s Budget.
This year’s Federal Budget also announced a record $75 billion, 10-year
infrastructure program guaranteed by the Government’s plan for a
stronger economy.
--ENDS--
Source: Australian Government - www.minister.infrastructure.gov.au
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