Telstra on-site for $1bn Rockhampton Ring Road early works

Surveying and vegetation clearing has begun at the Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road for the telecommunications infrastructure works to begin.

Rockhampton MP Barry O'Rourke and Keppel MP Brittany Lauga on site at the grounds of the Dreamtime Cultural Centre for the Rockhampton Ring Road telecommunications works.

Telstra contractors have begun work this week on the telecommunications infrastructure for the corridor of the hotly debated $1.065 billion Rockhampton Ring Road.

Initial work has started at the northern connection of the bypass road to the Bruce Highway and the intersection of Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road and Yaamba Road.

Surveying and essential vegetation clearing has been undertaken, followed by drilling and boring near the Dreamtime Cultural Centre.

The $280 million north package includes initial construction works of the new Ring Road alignment between the existing North Rockhampton Queensland Ambulance and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services precinct and the Dreamtime Cultural Centre.

In the long-term, the Rockhampton Ring Road project will deliver a new 14.7km section of the Bruce Highway, west of Rockhampton, with a third bridge crossing of the Fitzroy River and connections into the city at Ridgelands Road, Alexandra Street and Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road intersection.

Rockhampton MP Barry O’Rourke and Keppel MP Brittany Lauga visited the site on Friday to survey the progress.

“I haven’t stopped fighting to bring the commencement of major construction for the Ring Road forward, so it is exciting to see Telstra services started,” Mr O’Rourke said.

“Underground services are an essential part of delivering this complex long-term project.

“I want to see this project support as many local workers and contractors as possible.

“Starting these Telstra relocation works now means that we can get on with the job faster.”

Telecommunications infrastructure works starting for the Rockhampton Ring Road.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads are now working on the finalisation of the southern and northern packages, expected to be awarded by the end of this financial year.

“There are hundreds of jobs to be created,” Ms Lauga said.

“It’s wonderful to see this work is underway.”

“We don’t want huge camps and fly in fly out workers, we want to see local people being able to play a part in the construction of this project.”

Demolition work began last month with Rockhampton firm BT Builders awarded the contract for 17 properties to be demolished and to relocate the 4US radio station.

The $1.065 billion project has been funded on a 80:20 basis by the Australian and Queensland governments.

“It is the single largest investment in road infrastructure in Central Queensland,” Ms Lauga said.

“It’s got so many benefits, the economic contribution it will make to Central Queensland, but once it’s completed the improvement in efficiency of our road networks, safety.”