The Rockhampton Ring Road will bypass Rockhampton to the west of the city, running from the Capricorn Highway in the south, and rejoining the Bruce Highway at Yeppoon Road. Image: Dept of Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development, Communications, and the Arts.
The 17.4 kilometre-long Rockhampton Ring Road is now fully funded to the tune of $1.73 billion after an increased commitment by the Federal Government.
Work commenced on the project in November last year, and construction is already well underway on the first stage of the project at sites at Parkhurst and on Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road in West Rockhampton.
A 30 January joint release says the transformative project will increase connections to key precincts in the city and improve access, travel times to critical services including the hospital and emergency services, and road safety. Importantly, it says, the ring road alignment opens up new travel routes to key leisure, retail, education and Defence facilities.
The project will include a new crossing of the Fitzroy River between Pink Lily and Kawana, connections into West Rockhampton in the vicinity of Ridgelands Road, North Rockhampton at Alexandra Street, and the Bruce Highway intersection with Rockhampton—Yeppoon Road at Parkhurst, and continued access to the road network during major flooding.
The project has local buy targets embedded into the construction contract in order to maximise local engagement and content and, to date, 47 of the 68 contracts awarded have gone to local businesses.
The project is described as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to build capability within the regional workforce, with an extended pipeline of road infrastructure construction that provides opportunities for apprentices and trainees, engineers and technical services to be engaged.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and QLD Premier Steve Miles with project officials and staff at a Rockhampton Ring Road site on 30 January. Photo: Premier Miles Facebook.
While inspecting the works to date, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the commitment to commence construction by the end of 2023 had been realised.
“Here we are two months into construction to deliver this essential infrastructure project for Central Queensland,” he said.
“This significant investment by the Australian and Queensland Governments is a long-term, visionary project for Queensland’s biggest highway, the lifeline for the state of Queensland that will unlock future economic growth, build flood resilience, reduce travel times, improve road safety and support jobs.”
Queensland Premier Steven Miles said the project would be a critical new artery for central Queensland, and the broader Bruce Highway.
“It means a safer and quicker drive for locals and more productive travel for our transport sector, moving freight around the state,” he said.
“When complete, big trucks will avoid 19 sets of traffic lights through the middle of Rockhampton which has long been regarded as the pinch point for travel on the Bruce Highway,” he added. “That is critical for Queensland’s economic growth.
“I’m proud that our governments have come together to fully fund the Rockhampton Ring Road – to create jobs, local supply chain opportunities, and better connections for the region.”
