The $237.5 million Cape York Region Package (CYRP) Stage 2 has reached two significant milestones, with a new bridge and hundreds of kilometres of road now sealed.
Construction of the 90-metre-long Saltwater Creek bridge – located on Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) next to Musgrave Roadhouse (about halfway between Laura and Coen) – began in June 2021.
It is the first bridge to be built under the CYRP.
Completed by RoadTek in August 2022, the bridge is now open to motorists and replaces the low-level causeway, improving safety and flood resilience along this important route.
The completion of sealing from Merluna to York Downs this month marks one of the most significant milestones of the CYRP achieved to date, with just over 200 kilometres of the PDR now sealed.
Once CYRP Stage 2 is complete, only 145 kilometres of the 571-kilometre PDR will remain unsealed.
CYRP Stage 2 is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis under the Roads of Strategic Importance (ROSI) initiative.
For up-to-date information on current road conditions, call 13 19 40 or check QLDTraffic.qld.gov.au.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
"The Australian Government understands the importance of safe and reliable road infrastructure in Queensland's remote and unique Cape York region.
"Anyone who knows Cape York will understand the Peninsula Developmental Road will always be prone to flooding and closures.
"The construction of the first bridge under this package is a positive step towards easing floodwater levels and road closures during the prolonged wet season each year.
"Nothing is more important than ensuring people can reach their destination safely and that's exactly what this investment is about."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey:
"Peninsula Developmental Road is a key connector for the Far North, so it's great to see we're continuing to hit milestones, making the road safer and more resilient.
"Projects like these aren't just about improving our road network – they're also supporting good, secure jobs for Queenslanders.
"In fact, more than 24,800 training and upskilling hours have been worked on these upgrades, more than double our original target.
"We're delivering for Queenslanders all across the state, helping people spend less time behind the wheel and more enjoying our great lifestyle."
Quotes attributable to Queensland Member for Cook Cynthia Lui:
"These upgrades will make Peninsula Developmental Road far more flood resilient, which is great news for Far North residents as we head into a third consecutive La Niña summer.
"The benefits of the investment will also stay in the Far North, with local businesses and First Nations workers playing a key role in delivering the upgrades.
"This project forms part of the Palaszczuk Government's almost $1.6 billion road and transport plan for the Far North over the next four years, supporting 1,440 good, secure jobs in the region.
"Only Labor delivers for the Far North, and this project is another example of that."
