More western highway upgrades on the way

Federal money is fast-tracking upgrades to a major southwest route, with the project being labelled as a win for truckies and heavy industry.

Upgrades have been announced for the Carnarvon Highway between Rolleston, Injune, Roma and St George. pic David Martinelli

FAST-TRACKED upgrades to the Carnavon Highway will be a boon for truckies and drivers from St George all the way to Rolleston, with the federal government announcing an extra $7.84 million for extra improvements to the road.

Locations at the Salmon Rd, Castlereagh Hwy, Balonne Hwy junctions in the Balonne Shire, plus the Arcadia Valley Rd junction and Orange Hill in the Maranoa will be next to receive roadworks.

Federal member for Maranoa David Littleproud said the upgrades will be of huge benefit to local heavy industries, including trucking and resources, as well as growers and graziers.

“These roadworks are going to boost construction jobs and the reliability of our freight corridors,” Mr Littleproud said.

“Maranoa’s farmers and graziers are among the best in the world – they need to be able to get their cattle to the Roma Saleyards or to consumers in big cities and overseas or for miners moving heavy machinery and loads.

“Upgrades to these key freight corridors will facilitate this and help improve farmers’ profitability at the farmgate and support local communities.

“Guaranteeing efficient routes for heavy industries like mining and agriculture boosts competitiveness and also gives tourists – once the pandemic finishes – more options in how they get around our neck of the woods. This upgrade is a win for the Maranoa and the bush.”

The announcement follows on from current works on the Carnarvon Highway between Roma and Injune, which were started in January and are approaching their finish date.

This new round of funding comes from the Federal Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) program, which is garnering a $185 billion spend over the next decade, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said.

“Works to seal roads, build overtaking lanes, upgrade intersections and improve safety will start sooner under an agreement reached between the Australian and Queensland Governments on 22 jointly-funded regional projects worth $185 million,” he said.

“We are committed to delivering the Federal Government’s $100 billion, 10-year infrastructure pipeline which will support our economy and create jobs, particularly for those in the construction and building supply chain sectors, through the current COVID-19 response.”

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