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WORK STARTS ON PEAK DOWNS HIGHWAY SAFETY UPGRADES

The Hon Michael McCormack MP
Deputy Prime Minister
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development
Leader of The Nationals
Federal Member for Riverina

The Hon Michelle Landry MP
Assistant Minister for Children and Families
Assistant Minister for Northern Australia
Federal Member for Capricornia

George Christensen MP
Federal Member for Dawson

MEDIA RELEASE

Road safety upgrades have started on the $18 Million Peak Downs Highway jointed funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.

Deputy Prime Ministeer and Minster for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the increased investment in roads and transport infrastructure forms part of the Liberal National Governments’s COVID-19 recovery plan, creating jobs and economic stimulus.

“Peak Downs Highway is the main freight corridor supplying the coal mines of the Northern Bowen Basin, ” the Deputy Prime Minister said

“The route sees significant volumes of oversized and over-mass vehicles carrying large mining equipment, as well as local traffic which is why these safety upgrade are so vital.

“This is yet another example of how we are continuing to get integral projects such as this underway across the state and indeed the country under our record $110 billion infrastructure pipeline, creating jobs and driving our economic recovery.”

Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said the $18 million investment will deliver targeted road safety upgrades including removing roadside hazards, installing town entry treatments, and line-marking and widening works to install wide centre-line treatments.

“These upgrades will improve regional connectivity between Eton, Walkerston and Mackay City, and provide a boost to the local economy and jobs,” Assistant Minister Landry said.

Sections of the highway between Drapers Siding and Old Rocky Waterholes Road will be widened to a 12-meter seal width. High-risk intersections will also be upgraded.”

Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said these measures will improve the highway as they address identified road safety and fatigue management issues that contribute to crashes.

“Another vital benefit of the project, once complete, will be the increased capacity and efficiencies for current and future traffic levels,” Mr Christensen said.

“The coal industry is crucial to the economy in this region and delivering road upgrades such as this will allow the resources sector to continue to flourish in Queensland assist in our COVID-19 recovery.

“The work will be delivered by RoadTek and is expected to be completed by June 2021, weather permitting.”

For further information on this project, visit www.tmr.qld.gov.au/projects/peak-downs-highway-nebo-mackay-eton-to-mackay-safety-upgrade.

This project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $14.4 million and the Queensland Government committing $3.6 million.

The $150 million Queensland Targeted Road Safety Works Program is a jointly funded program, with the Australian Government committing $120 million and the Queensland Government committing
$30 million.

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