November 6, 2012
Work will start in the New Year on long-awaited passing lanes on the D’Aguilar Highway and Brisbane Valley Highway following approval of funding for the project at today’s Cabinet Meeting in Kingaroy.
Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney said a list of projects to be funded under the State Government’s “Royalties For Regions” program had been approved at the morning meeting.
These included $10 million in funding for the passing lanes, which was an election promise by the LNP.
On March 1, LNP leader Campbell Newman announced in Kingaroy that if elected, he would spend $10 million to build passing lanes between Blackbutt and Nanango and between Harlin and Toogoolawah.
Mr Seeney said the passing lanes had been an important issue in the South Burnett, and one that local Member Deb Frecklington had pushed to solve.
He said this election commitment to the South Burnett had now been delivered, and it was fitting that the Cabinet had delivered on the promise at a meeting in Kingaroy.
Mr Seeney said regional Queensland had often missed out on the results of the mining boom and the Royalties For Region program would address this.
With today’s announcement, firm funding for the passing lanes was now in place and work should begin early in the New Year, he said.
“Almost 3000 vehicles a day travel that section of the Brisbane Valley Highway and traffic on parts of the D’Aguilar Highway can be close to 5000 vehicles daily,” Mr Seeney said.
“We are ready to provide the funding when the projects are ready to get underway. Design work is being carried out by the Department of Main Roads.”
Mrs Frecklington said it was a “fantastic announcement” for the people of the South Burnett and Somerset regions.
“I have been fighting hard for funding for both these highways and it’s great to see that our government is making a commitment to improve these important arterial roads.”
