$24M upgrade to widen and seal Richmond-Winton Road

The project is under way to widen and seal more than 30 kilometres of the road, improving road safety and travel times.

A $24 million upgrade is under way to widen and seal more than 30 kilometres of Richmond-Winton Road. Photo: file

A $24 million upgrade is under way to widen and seal more than 30 kilometres of road in the Central West.

The upgrade of Richmond-Winton Road will also replace key structures, including culverts, and improve road safety and travel times on the key regional connector as part of the Australian Government $3 billion nationwide Road Safety Program.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the Richmond-Winton Road upgrade was being delivered across four projects, with the final stage underway.

“The $2.7 million replacement of a culvert to improve flood resilience kicked off in September 2020 and was completed in December 2020,” he said.

“The additional three projects focus on sealing and widening various gravel sections, while construction on a $3.3 million project to seal more than four kilometres started in November 2020.

“In March this year, work started on a $5.39 million project to seal another 6.7 kilometres with further works now kicking off on a $13 million project to seal 20 kilometres – meaning motorists will see local crews delivering sealing works until mid-2022.”

The investment also includes $16.3 million committed to boost delivery of immediate benefits to the regional economy while providing long-lasting infrastructure capable of supporting growth well into the future.

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the Richmond-Winton Road connected agriculture and industry across western Queensland with major freight routes including the Landsborough and Flinders highways.

“Sealing roads is one of the simplest ways to improve safety and reduce travel times for locals and freight,” he said

“After dealing with dust off unsealed roads and patchy surfaces, these projects make a huge difference to the local community.

“By the time this work finished in the middle of next year, about 103 kilometres of the 145 kilometre road will be fully sealed.”

Winton Shire Mayor Gavin Baskett said its work crews were also benefiting from the funding boost with the upgrade having widespread impacts.

“The funding is certainly being put to good use as the sealing of this road is important to our local communities, businesses, and surrounding industries who rely on a reliable transport network to not only survive but thrive,” Cr Baskett said.

“The Richmond-Winton Road is key to carting livestock and getting mining product moving, as well as helping grow the drive tourism industry in Outback Queensland, so this upgrade is definitely set to deliver real benefits right across the board.”