Builders announced for $1.065bn Rockhampton Ring Road

Construction is on track to begin in late 2023 on the first phase of the $1.065 billion Rockhampton Ring Road with contracts to carry out works awarded to the Bielby-BMD Joint Venture and Acciona-Fulton Hogan Joint Venture. 

The initial phase of the project will include about $280 million in upgrades across location-based packages in the north and south sections of the ring road. 

“I am pleased to announce that major construction is on track to start this year on the first package of works for the Rockhampton Ring Road. 

“This achievement builds on early works underway since late 2022 to ready the road corridor alignment for construction. 

“Ultimately, the Rockhampton Ring Road will deliver 17.4 kilometres of new roadway incorporating 18 bridges and 14.7 kilometres of new alignment for the Bruce Highway to the west of Rockhampton,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said. 

The Rockhampton Ring Road is being delivered in two packages. The Bielby-BMD JV will be undertaking the North Package 1 while the Acciona-Fulton Hogan JV will carry out the South Package 1 works. 

The North Package 1 includes: 

• Construction of the ring road section between the Bruce Highway / Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road intersection and Monier Road embankment 
• Works required for the realigned Boundary Road, McLaughlin Street, existing Boundary Road, and Monier Road access 
• Construction of accesses for Dreamtime Cultural Centre, Queensland Ambulance Service and Queensland Fire and Emergency Services precinct 

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure upgrades that Central Queensland needs to improve travel times and protect lives. 

“As more people choose to call this area home, that means more cars on our roads. Backing significant infrastructure upgrades like this remains a high priority. The Rockhampton Rong Road will provide locals and visitors with a safer journey. 

“This long-term traffic congestion solution for Queensland’s biggest highway will unlock future economic growth, build flood resilience and support jobs,” Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said. 

The South Package 1, which has two work locations in the West Rockhampton and Pink Lily area, includes: 

• Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road upgrade including Canoona Road intersection, replacement of Lion Creek bridge, modifications to Osborne Road, and construction of the Ridgelands Road-Osborne Road roundabout with a stub for future connection to the ring road 
• Upgrade of Nine Mile Road / Rockhampton-Ridgelands Road intersections 
• Preload of embankment between the Capricorn Highway and Abutment A of Bridge BR04 (over soft soils) 

Construction on the first phase of the Rockhampton Ring Road is expected to be completed in the 2025-26 financial year. The project is anticipated to support hundreds of jobs during its delivery phase. 

“The Rockhampton Ring Road is a transformational project for the Rockhampton region,” State Member for Rockhampton Barry O’Rourke said. 

“The commencement of these works for the Rockhampton Ring Road is part of a huge infrastructure pipeline in Central Queensland, which includes the Yeppoon Road Upgrade and the Rockhampton-Emu Park Road safety and capacity upgrades,” State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said. 

Once open to traffic, the Rockhampton Ring Road will provide a new Fitzroy River crossing between Pink Lily and Kawana as well as connections into West Rockhampton within Ridgelands Road, North Rockhampton at Alexandra Street, and the Bruce Highway intersection with Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road at Parkhurst. 

The ring road will also enable continued access to the road network during major flooding events. 

The Rockhampton Ring Road is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program (BHUP), with the Australian Government committing $852 million. 

“The Australian and Queensland Governments are committed to delivering the $1.065 billion Rockhampton Ring Road project. 

“Getting works started on this initial package has remained a priority, which is why we committed $80 million under the BHUP to ensure boots and machined are on the ground starting works this year. 

“The project forms part of the Australian and Queensland Governments’ long-term partnership to upgrade the Bruce Highway, improving safety, flood resilience and capacity along the highway between Brisbane and Cairns,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads; The National Tribune; CQ Today