Work will begin next month on the construction of a heavy vehicle turning bay for Queensland truck drivers
September 29, 2010
Construction of a heavy vehicle turning bay in Queensland will begin next month, significantly reducing travel times for trucks during flooding.
To be built at Mt Isa in the north west of the state, the $1.3 million facility will be three kilometres east of the Norman River Bridge on the Gulf Developmental Road.
Mount Isa MP Betty Kiernan says the turning bay means drivers will no longer need to take up to two hours to reverse 20 kilometres up the road when the bridge is closed due to flooding, saving time and money.
“These truckies play a vital role in moving crucial supplies onto boats on the Norman River to support flood affected communities and having it completed before the next wet season is a priority,” Kiernan says.
Work is also underway on an $18 million upgrade of the Einasleigh River Bridge west of Mt Surprise in North Queensland. The structure is 416 metres long and 8.5 metres high.
Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace says the upgrade is due to be completed by Christmas.
“It’s an important project because it will go a long way to connecting communities that can be cut off for up to five months during the flood season,” he says.