Mackay Ring Road
An improved link has been delivered from the south to the northern suburbs reducing traffic through Mackay.
Walkerston Bypass
The Walkerston Bypass will deliver a new 2-lane rural highway to connect Peak Downs Highway west of Walkerston to the Mackay Ring Road near Paget.
The new Walkerston Bypass will become the designated heavy vehicle route for B-double and other multi-combination vehicles, including A-double road trains, between the Bruce Highway and the Peak Downs Highway.
Benefits
- Improves safety
- Increases capacity
- Improves flood immunity
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
- Improves network efficiency
Key features
- A new bridge with improved flood immunity over Bakers Creek.
- 3 new road overpasses above the local cane railway network.
- Re-direct heavy vehicles away from local schools, retail and medical facilities in Walkerston.
- Remove heavy vehicle and local traffic interactions through Walkerston.
- Direct route for heavy vehicles required by Bowen Basin coal producers.
- Extend the life of a 74-year-old bridge, adjacent to a school yard.
- Reduces congestion through Walkerston.
- Integrate with existing works on the Peak Downs Highway–Eton Range Upgrade and Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1).
Funding
The Australian Government and Queensland Government are funding the project. Funding subject to further consideration and negotiation with the Australian Government. Investment ID 455240
A revised project cost of $191.4 million was announced on 22 December 2023.
Funding figures as at QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 (June 2023).
- Total investment
- $187.4 million
- Australian Government
- $149.28 million
- Queensland Government
- $38.12 million
Current status
Tender for construction was awarded to Fulton Hogan Pty Ltd and main construction started in May 2022.
Key milestones
- September 2020: tenders for construction called
- October 2020: detailed design completed
- May 2022: construction started
- Mid-to-late 2024: construction due for completion.
