Two major local roads at Giru, temporarily closed as part of the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade, have reopened to traffic right in time for Christmas travel.
The $514.34 million Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis, representing commitments of $411.47 million and $102.87 million.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade was estimated to support an average of 544 jobs over the project lifecycle.
“This is another example of the Australian Government’s record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
“This project will help to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.
“The Australian Government’s infrastructure investments along the Bruce Highway will benefit Queenslanders from Brisbane to Cairns, along with tourists and freight travelling along this key north-south route.”
Queensland Deputy Premier Steven Miles said reopening Woodstock Giru Road and Shirbourne Road was an important step in completing the Haughton River upgrade.
“This jointly funded project has provided a safer and more flood resilient road network between Ayr and Townsville, especially as we head into the wet, summer season,” Minister Miles said.
“We know how important it is to connect communities at this time of year and we’re pleased to be delivering an upgrade that will do just that, as part of the Queensland Government’s sixth record road and transport plan.
“Previously, the Bruce Highway intersection with Woodstock Giru Road was a straight-through, four-way intersection which can often lead to crashes in a high-speed environment.
“We’ve now offset the two Woodstock Giru Road connections to improve safety and provided a slip acceleration lane for drivers travelling north.”
Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the Bruce Highway intersection with Woodstock Giru Road will reopen to travel both east and west.
“Travel along Shirbourne Road will also be possible again,” Mr Christensen said.
“Both closures were previously put in place while works continued on the half-billion-dollar package of upgrades.
“While traffic was progressively switched onto the 13.5 kilometres of new Bruce Highway earlier this year, there have been ongoing minor detours and impacts to local travel in the surrounding area.”
State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper said the project was important for North Queenslanders.
“This project was about improving safety and flood resilience for the region,” Mr Harper said.
“It’s also helped create an average of 544 jobs during the life of the project which is an important part of our economic recovery from COVID-19.”
