Townsville Connection Road bridge contract awarded, works to be complete by mid 2026

Works are underway to increase capacity of a much-used road way connecting Rosslea to Annandale and Idalia.

Principal engineer Chris Cherukuri and State Member for Mundingburra, Les Walker, pictured at Bowen Road bridge duplication project. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Works are underway to increase capacity of a much-used road way connecting Rosslea to Annandale and Idalia.

A duplicate bridge will be created next to the existing Bowen Road Bridge and will increase capacity from two to four lanes in a bid to improve safety, traffic flow and reduce peak hour efficiency.

Tender for the Townsville Connection Road Bridge project has been awarded and construction is to be completed by mid-2026.

With over 24,000 vehicles using the bridge everyday, the project will see the established bridge be converted to two lanes for outbound traffic and the new bridge having two lanes for city-bound traffic.

The project will also deliver a 3m wide walkway and bike lane to the side as well as upgraded lighting and CCTV, also 150 trees added into the surrounding environment.

Impression of the new bridge set to be completed by mid-2026.

The $99.8 million investment from the Department of Transport and Main Roads will be delivered by Albem Operations Pty Ltd and SGQ Pty Ltd in a joint venture and is set to add 120 jobs to the region.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish said the Townsville community has been ‘eagerly awaiting this project.’

Principal engineer Chris Cherukuri and State Member for Mundingburra, Les Walker, pictured at Bowen Road bridge duplication project. Picture: Shae Beplate.

“Duplicating the Bowen Road Bridge is the final piece in removing the bottleneck and

reducing congestion for the 24,000 vehicles travelling this road every day,” he said.

“This project is set to enhance safety and improve connectivity for all road users,

with upgraded pedestrian and bicycle crossings, and a refurbished underpass

pathway.”

Mundingburra MP Les Walker said he has been fighting and advocating for the project, with the designs beginning in late 2022.

He said the area was getting ‘busier and busier’ noting the growth of houses at Elliot Springs for more vehicle and foot traffic.

“Anyone living in the area knows how important this upgrade is, it’s great to see the tender awarded with major construction to follow,” he said.

“There will be a whole corridor where people can walk and ride to school or the sporting precinct. It’s about safety and getting people to their location safely in what is a very, very busy area here next to the Murray Sports Complex, Idalia shopping precinct and two major high schools.”

Originally published as Townsville Connection Road bridge contract awarded, works to be complete by mid 2026