A joint venture between state and federal governments is funding Peninsula Developmental Road improvements
Construction will begin this week on upgrading a major arterial road north of Coen on the Cape York Peninsula.
Jointly funded by the Queensland and federal governments under the $260 million Cape York Region Package, the new 29km stretch is part of an ongoing series of works on the 558km Peninsula Developmental Road, which runs from Lakeland to Weipa.
Announced by infrastructure minister Warren Truss, Leichhardt federal member Warren Entsch, and Queensland roads minister Mark Bailey, the project will focus on drainage improvements and the creation of an 8.5m-wide bitumen-sealed road.
“Once completed, the drive will be much safer for the growing number of people who depend on this road, including locals, tourists and transport operators,” Entsch says.
The works will be completed by contractor CMC, Truss says, creating an average of 91 jobs over the project’s lifespan and utilising local sub-contractors.
“This project aims to improve accessibility to Cape York Peninsula for the local community and benefit local industries,” Truss says.
“CMC has indicated it intends to use a significant number of sub-contractors local to the Cape region.
“This is good news and supports our commitment to finding ways to help ‘close the gap’ and actively promote building capability in Cape York.”
Bailey says construction will be fast-tracked to beat the wet season.
Three more projects are planned for the Peninsula Developmental Road in 2015, with work scheduled to proceed between Laura and Coen, and between Coen and Weipa.
Work was completed on 34kms of the road last year.