Billions of dollars’ worth of major road and transport projects across Queensland are set to start construction or are due to be completed in 2021, creating thousands of jobs and driving the State Government's plan for economic recovery following the COVID-19 pandemic.
These major projects include the second M1, the Bruce Highway upgrade between Caboolture and the Sunshine Coast, and the Townsville Ring Road Stage 5. Approximately 23,600 jobs are set to be supported by these projects over a four-year period.
In addition, an additional 87 recently announced road safety projects are anticipated to begin works within the next six months along with a $5 billion jointly-funded stimulus package from the Australian and Queensland Governments.
“2021 is the year of construction and jobs in Queensland thanks to a 56 billion, four-year infrastructure guarantee by this government as part of our economic recovery plan.
“Queenslanders last year backed our plan for economic recovery – and we're backing them with the start of a record four-year, $26.9 billion roads and transport budget that will create 23,600 jobs.
“From sealing our western roads and investing in our regional ports to getting started on the second M1 and building on our 33 Bruce Highway upgrades underway right now – there will be plenty of hi-vis around,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said.
According to Minister Bailey, regional Queensland is going to be the main focus of the four-year road and transport budget. This year, about $17.8 billion will be spent on communities outside the south-east corner of the state to support up to 16,180 jobs.
“That means starting projects like the Walkerston Bypass near Mackay, Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 and Bruce Highway bridge upgrade near Maryborough, and getting on with the job of our real $12.6 billion Bruce Highway plan and half-a-billion investment to bolster the North West supply chain.
“Jobs will flow from projects wrapping up this year including the $514.3 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Townsville to a pipeline of projects that'll connect our communities and provide families with income as we continue to navigate COVID-19,” Minister Bailey said.
The pipeline of roads and transport projects across the State will not only help bust congestion, but it will also support thousands of jobs as well as local businesses through the pandemic.
“We've seen local business supply the resources, equipment and skills for these projects, which has then been installed by local workers to ultimately benefit local families and industry.
“With the first roll out of the COVID-19 vaccine program in Queensland this week, we continue to manage the health impacts of this pandemic, and because of that we're able to get on with the job of building the roads and transport our state needs,” Minister Bailey said.
Major projects expected to begin construction in 2021 include:
Major projects continuing works in 2021 include:
Major projects concluding this year include:
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Trailer Magazine