- Construction will start to upgrade a crossing at Foleyvale, upstream from Rookwood Weir
- Current single-lane crossing will be replaced by a higher dual-lane bridge
- 22 jobs will be created by the project
- Work is expected to be complete in early 2024
The Rookwood Weir project is set to deliver another road improvement to Central Queensland.
Civil, Mining and Construction Pty Ltd (CMC) will deliver the $17 million upgrade to a crossing at Foleyvale, located 65 km upstream from the weir site.
22 jobs will be created by the project, which will provide safer access and better connectivity for local residents. The current single-lane crossing will be replaced by a dual-lane bridge that is higher, to improve traffic flow and flood resilience.
The Foleyvale Crossing upgrade will be jointly funded by the Rookwood Weir Project and the Department of Transport and Main Roads.
CMC is expected to start work on the upgrade in June 2023, with completion due early 2024, weather permitting.
Foleyvale Crossing is the fifth road upgrade to be delivered as part of the Rookwood Weir project, with a $2 million improvement also underway at Hanrahan Crossing.
A $12.5 million bridge was constructed at Riverslea, while a $2.2 million-dollar Capricorn Highway intersection upgrade at Gogango and a $7.5 million upgrade at Thirsty Creek Road have also been completed.
Quotes attributable to Water Minister Glenn Butcher:
"Rookwood Weir is already delivering for Central Queensland jobs and the economy.
"The Duaringa community will get an enhanced road crossing, the region is winning with more construction jobs, and then there will be the long-term benefits of water from the weir for agricultural and industry growth.
"Work on the ground at Rookwood continues, with the project now more than 70 per cent complete.
"The project team is focused on completing in-river works for this major piece of water infrastructure that will drive economic growth throughout Central Queensland."
Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
"The new structure will be substantially safer as it will allow vehicles to access the crossing in both directions at the same time.
"It will also improve accessibility for the community during the wet season, as it will be more than one metre higher than the existing bridge.
"This will save local road users considerable time as they will no longer be forced to seek alternative routes, which will save at least 90 minutes for a journey to Rockhampton.
"The upgrade will also further enable Apis Creek Road to become a key arterial route for the area's agriculture industry."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Rockhampton Barry O'Rourke:
"It's so exciting to see investment into improving roads and connectivity in Central Queensland.
"As the fifth road upgrade delivered as part of the Rookwood Weir project, it's great to see the benefits of the project ripple through the community."
Quotes attributable to Sunwater CEO Glenn Stockton:
"More than just the weir itself, the Rookwood project is a program of work delivering enhanced outcomes for the region.
"The suite of road upgrades delivered as part of the project will provide enhanced safety and access for the community and more efficient transport routes for industry."
Quotes attributable to Central Highlands Mayor Kerry Hayes:
"The new structure will be substantially safer as it will allow vehicles to access the crossing in both directions at the same time.
"The Duaringa Apis Creek Road is also an important part of the Queensland Beef Corridors supply chain that will be strengthened by this important upgrade.
"These benefits, in addition to the water security delivered through the Rookwood Weir project, will support prosperity and growth across Central Highlands and the broader Central Queensland community."
Further Information:
Rookwood Weir is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, delivered in partnership with Sunwater.
