Queensland's main roads minister commits to improving access for trucking operators, while also investing more funds in road network
Queensland’s newly-appointed roads minister has committed to improving heavy vehicle access for the State’s trucking operators, while also investing more funds in regional and rural areas.
Despite the global financial crisis blowing a hole in government revenue, Minister for Main Roads Craig Wallace says investment in the road network will not suffer.
Declaring his support for multi-billion dollar projects over a five-year period, Wallace yesterday announced the Government would continue to widen the Warrego Highway from Morven to Charleville to cope with road trains.
“We are also continuing to upgrade of the Roma–Taroom Road to benefit landowner and industry access in the south west, central and Fitzroy regions,” Wallace says.
“The Bligh Government’s 2008-09 to 2012-13 Roads Implementation Program is the largest in Queensland’s history, allocating a total of $16.2 billion for roadworks and supporting services.”
Wallace says it is essential the Government continue to invest heavily in the road network because Queensland relies on inland and western regional road networks for transport and to connect communities and industry.
He says the Government will this year spend almost $1.65 billion on new projects, which he expects will create at least 13,000 jobs.