Road closure for upgrades
A SECTION of Beck Drive will close for more than three months as Transport and Main Roads completes the Ring Road Stage 5.
The temporary road closure between Gouldian Ave and Hervey Range Rd will be in place as part of the duplication of the overpass.
The $238m federal and state funded project is to duplicate a 6km long section of the Bruce Highway.
The community felt the changes would not benefit it.
The changes included closing the Riverway Drive off-ramp, and building two new on-ramps and two new off-ramps on to Beck Drive to cater for both east and westbound traffic.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said while the government was conscious of the impact on the community and businesses, the temporary closure would allow work to be done safely and more efficiently, reducing the need for longer-term, partial closures.
“This next phase of project will see Beck Drive close to allow for important enabling and construction work to take place, including landing the deck girders for duplication of the overpass, installing drainage for flood mitigation, replacing culverts, asphalt works, relocation of services to cater for signalised services and active transport pathways,” Mr Bailey said.
“The good news for motorists is that, once the project is complete, the new interchange will cater to all directions of travel and better connect the Upper Ross to the Townsville Ring Rd.”
Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said the project was an incredibly important piece of infrastructure for the city. “It will improve road safety and create up to 400 jobs, which is why investing in projects like this is so important,” Mr Harper said.
Beck Drive will close from 6am, January 23 and is planned to reopen to traffic by 6pm May 1, 2022.
All traffic will be directed to detour via Gouldian Ave, Riverway Drive and Hervey Range Rd. Road users are encouraged to seek alternative routes.
The Ring Road Stage 5 project is expected to be complete in mid 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting.