Bus Hub travelling well as work starts

A CRUCIAL milestone on the multimillion- dollar CBD Bus Hub has finally been reached.

Work on the long- promised project has started, with dozens of jobs to be supported during the project.

Townsville City Council awarded the contract for the Bus Hub to local construction firm Mendi, creating 30 local jobs from this shovel- ready project.

The new Bus Hub will include sheltered seating, improved estrian access and landscaping.

The project received $ 4 million in funding from the Queensland Government.

Deputy Mayor and Planning and Development Committee chair Cr Les Walker said the Bus Hub would be a great win for public transport users and CBD traders.

“Work is under way and I’m confident the new Bus Hub will help revitalise the CBD and improve the streetscape of Ogden St,” Cr Walker said.

The council bought a lot along Ogden St to facilitate the Bus Hub and has already completed demolition works. This lot will be converted ped- to a road to allow for better flow.

Infrastructure Committee chair Cr Mark Molachino said the CBD Bus Hub was another significant construction project included in the council’s record infrastructure spend of $ 433 million.

“These projects are helping to build a better future for Townsville but they also create dozens of jobs right now,” Cr Molachino said.

“More than $ 430 million will be invested in different projects across the city to upgrade infrastructure and create jobs for locals.

“I’d also like to thank the Queensland Government for their significant contribution to the CBD Bus Hub.” traffic

Local councillor Ann- Maree Greaney said she was looking forward to the project being completed in about eight months.

“The area will be almost unrecognisable when the Bus Hub is finished and the improvement will be phenomenal,” Cr Greaney said.

When the council awarded the contract to Mendi, Cr Walker said the new Bus Hub would be walking distance to and from the new North Queensland Stadium, to be completed in 2020, and would improve public transport facilities and services throughout the city.

“The new Bus Hub will encourage more people into the city by making it easier to use public transport,” he said.