Main tender on Mackay Ring Road announced

AUGUST 4, 2017: WE reached a major milestone in the Mackay Ring Road Stage 1 project today with the announcement that CPB Contractors have won the major tender.This project will remove heavy vehicles from the Mackay CBD and residential areas by providing a bypass for all vehicles without a destination in Mackay.This is a massive project for the region – we’re going to see 13 new bridges being built as part of it - and I believe an average of 534 jobs will be supported during construction of the bypass.We need jobs, jobs, jobs in this region and I have already had discussions with CPB and heard firsthand that they're very keen to engage the local suppliers, subcontractors and workers in Mackay.They have said that it is naturally more efficient for them to source supplies where they can up here in this region rather than elsewhere.CPB will also be advertising for expressions of interest in due course for locals interested in being involved in the project.This is a very big infrastructure project for our region and we can look forward to seeing the flow-on effects of business dollars and job opportunities for a number of years.Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said construction was due to start in coming weeks and continue for several years."The Australian Government is investing almost $400 million in the Mackay Ring Road project as part of our 10-year, $8.5 billion joint commitment to fix the Bruce Highway,” Mr Chester said.“The ring road is going to be a game-changer for the region, by enhancing the capacity, safety and efficiency of the highway and reducing travel times for vehicles going through Mackay by 50 per cent and port-bound fuel and sugar trucks by 20 to 30 per cent.”Stage 1 of the project will upgrade an 11.3 kilometre section of the Bruce Highway between Stockroute and Bald Hill roads, addressing current traffic congestion problems and reducing accident risks.The project will also include major crossings of the Pioneer River which will be built to a one-in-100-year flood immunity level, vastly reducing the potential for road closures. Construction is expected to be completed in early 2020, weather permitting.The $497.3 million Bruce Highway – Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) project is being funded by the Australian Government ($397.9 million) and Queensland Government ($99.4 million)