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 flood-free bridge over Bakers Creek.
- 3 new road overpasses above the local cane railway network.
The project will:
- re-direct heavy vehicles away from local schools, retail and medical facilities in Walkerston.
- remove heavy vehicle and local traffic interactions through Walkerston.
- be a 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.
- reduce congestion through Walkerston.
- integrate with existing works on the Peak Downs Highway–Eton Range Upgrade and Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1)
Funding
Jointly funded by the Australian (80%) and Queensland (20%) governments.
- Total investment
- $150 million
- Australian Government
- $120 million
- Queensland Government
- $30 million
Key milestones:
- September 2020: tenders for construction called
- October 2020: detailed design completed
- April 2022: construction anticipated to commence
- May 2024: construction completed.
Current status
Tenders for construction are currently being assessed and are expected to be awarded in early 2022.
Walkerston Bypass location map
