Upgrade works between Winton and Boulia on the Outback Way have wrapped up, just as $24 million worth of upgrades on Richmond-Winton Road also ramps up further to the east.
The progressive sealing of the Outback Way is part of the Australian Government’s $330 million investment to improve the 2,700-kilometre route that links Laverton in Western Australia, with Winton in Queensland.
Several projects have been completed in Queensland targeting productivity and safety improvements from Winton through to Tobermorey, west of Boulia, benefitting freight operators and various industries including agriculture, mining and tourism.
Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia and Federal Member for Maranoa David Littleproud said in total, $26.45 million for sealing and widening has increased connectivity and reduce travel times.
“This is also an investment in improving access for remote and Indigenous communities to health and social services,” Mr Littleproud said.
“I am proud to see regional Queensland benefitting from the Federal Coalition Government’s record nationwide infrastructure investment, which is securing Australia’s world-leading economic recovery.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the $26 million Outback Way upgrades that started in 2018 had been delivered by a partnership between all three levels of government.
“The Palaszczuk Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion transport and roads investment program over the next four years as part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan,” Mr Bailey said.
“There are more projects being rolled out on regional roads and highways than ever before thanks to the additional stimulus agreements we’ve made by working with the Federal Government to keep our economy moving.
“The projects that have just finished provided a reliable and continuous flow of work for local government road crews from Boulia and Winton over the past two years and supported local and regional economies during difficult times, including the emergence and ongoing management of COVID-19.”
Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the Outback Way works were progressively delivered across five projects since 2018.
“The final project sealed 25 kilometres between Boulia and Tobermorey and means collectively, the projects paved and sealed 43 kilometres of the Outback Way and widened more than 24 kilometres,” he said.
“That makes a huge difference for locals and businesses moving freight because they know there is a safer and more dependable stretch of road between Winton and Boulia.
“More than 90 per cent of the Outback Way in Queensland now fully sealed, which is a great example of what can be accomplished when all levels of government work together.”
The Australian Government contributed more than $21 million to deliver the five projects, with the Queensland Government committing about $3.6 million and Boulia Shire Council about $1.6 million.
