Mayor says project crossing downgrade would be a “bad outcome”

There are fears a major Ring Road overpass will be downgraded to an intersection despite the Federal Government awarding an extra $200m towards the project this week.

The Alexandra Street grade separation crossing, overpass with entry and exit ramps, of the Rockhampton Ring Road. There are fears it will be downgraded to an intersection.

There are fears a major Rockhampton Ring Road overpass will be downgraded to an intersection despite the Federal Government awarding an extra $200m towards the project this week after another cost blowout pushed its estimated total beyond $1.9 billion.

The fears centre on a previously planned “grade-separated crossing” at Alexandra Street in North Rockhampton.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams said that crossing was a key component of the road, reducing both excessive noise for local residents and traffic delays.

“I have been concerned about the recent rumours that the Department of Transport and Main Roads were looking at scaling back the Alexandra Street crossing to an at-grade intersection,” Cr Williams said.

Grantley Jack, Jason Thomasson and Jack Trenaman from the Start Rockhampton Ring Road group in front of the painted silos at Parkhurst.

An at-grade intersection would have a road junction with two or more roads meeting or crossing at the same level while the originally planned grade-separated intersection would have an overpass and underpass to prevent crossing conflicts.

Cr Williams is demanding reassurances from the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads that it sticks to the original plan for the Rockhampton Ring Road.

Hundreds gathered to rally the delay of the Rockhampton Ring Road project after a cost blowout in 2022.

“I want to hear from the Department that they will use this funding to deliver the full scope and design of the Ring Road, including the Alexandra Street crossing as committed,” he said.

“I want to thank the Albanese Labor Government for this new funding which will mean that the Ring Road can be delivered as promised.

“I have been concerned about the recent rumours that the Department of Transport and Main Roads were looking at scaling back the Alexandra Street crossing to an at-grade intersection.

Rockhampton Regional Council Mayor Tony Williams is concerned about Rockhampton Ring Road ‘rumours’.

“This would be a bad outcome for Rockhampton and the project overall and would not only impact local residents with excessive noise and traffic delays but impact local business in the Parkhurst Industrial Precinct.

“To have the Albanese Government work with us to provide this additional funding means that we can get a project that delivers what it promised and ensure that our region sees the benefits.”

The Department of Transport and Main Roads and Rockhampton MP Donna Kirkland have been contacted for comment.

Current project funding commitments of $1.93 billion funding is shared between the Australian Government $1.4 billion and the Queensland Government $530 million.