ANOTHER bridge has been crossed in the construction of Mackay’s biggest road infrastructure project, Stage One of the $497 million Mackay Ring Road.

Today, I visited the new overpass at Ooralea on the Peak Downs Highway.

Stage One of the ring road is an 11.3km stretch that takes freight and traffic out of the city, making stretches such as Nebo Road a safer place for locals.

It will also allow for more efficient freight movements and allow those travelling further north an easier transit with the removal of 10 sets of traffic signals.

Getting our ring road built has been one of my key priorities since being elected nine years ago.

It’s also provided a huge number of jobs when we desperately needed them. Though it was estimated to create about 500 jobs during construction, I am advised that the reality is more like 1000.

It’s fantastic to see that we’ve reached another milestone on our biggest-ever road project.

Work will now continue onon/off ramps on the Bruce Highway between Horse & Jockey, and Sextonsroads.

The Australian Governmentcommitted 80 per cent of the funding, up to $397.9 million, for the projectwith the Queensland Government contributing $99.4 million.