Gearing up for next roadworks | Fraser Coast News | Local News in Fraser Coast

It's the end of the road for one raft of roadworks but another building burst is just around the corner.

Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace officially brought the curtain down on the $11.5 million upgrade of the Maryborough-Hervey Bay road, 10 months after the machinery plant wheeled on to the seven-kilometre stretch between Dundowran road and the Pialba-Burrum Heads road.

Mr Wallace paid tribute to the co-operation of motorists, including tourists and daily commuters.

“I appreciate their continued patience and urge everyone to drive safely throughout the next major upgrade of the road,” he said.

The next test of patience will come with the onset of an $18 million, 12-month project to upgrade the section between the Torbanlea-Pialba Road and Dundowran Road.

The job involves upgrading a three-kilometre section of road and linking the existing Torbanlea-Pialba Road and Booral Road intersections with a major new roundabout.

It also includes the building of a 1.5-kilometre stretch of four lanes from the Booral Road intersection to north of Dundowran.

Mr Wallace said the two upgrades provided employment benefits for the region, with about 340 jobs sustained over the life of the projects.

“This project is a great example of the Bligh Government's investment in the Fraser Coast road network, to meet the needs of rapid population growth in the area,” he said.

“The project (just complete) included widening and strengthening 6.9 kilometres of road with a new bitumen surface at least 10 metres wide.

“The strengthened road will provide a smoother driving surface for more than 7000 vehicles that use the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Road each day.

“The project also involved improving bus stop areas, private property accesses and signage and the installation of new overhead street lighting.

“Five intersections have been upgraded as part of the project since construction began in September 2008.”

Mr Wallace said the project improved traffic flow and enabled motorists to conduct safer turning movements.