Years of work on roads for upgrades

FRUSTRATED motorists will have to put up with numerous road upgrade projects south of Townsville for the next three years.

Motorists have taken to Facebook to complain about roadworks in the Nome, Julago and Elliot Springs area.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads confirmed construction of the $ 514.3 million Haughton River Floodplain upgrade project at Giru would start later this year.

The project is due for completion in mid- 2021.

“We will build five bridges, new highway pavement between the bridges and two overpasses of cane tramways,” a TMR spokesman said.

“We will also upgrade several intersections, and install wide centre line treatments.”

The State Government completed a $ 9.66 million widening project on the Bruce Highway at Julago in January this year.

Current works occurring on the Bruce Highway, at Julago, are undertaken by BMD Constructions, on behalf of Lendlease as part of the Elliot Springs residential development.

“Lendlease has engaged with BDM to complete a works package on the Bruce Highway for a four- way intersection on to Elliot Springs Boulevard,” a spokesman for Lendlease said.

“Elliot Springs Boulevard will be open to the public midJuly with the full intersection to be completed in early August.”

The works include building a new intersection on the Bruce Highway, as well as dedicated turning lanes to improve access in and out of the estate.