Work is about to begin on a $5.5 million upgrade to a one-kilometre section of the Brisbane Valley Highway at Esk, known locally as Ipswich Street.
The works will improve the condition of the highway between Gatton-Esk Road (Middle Street) and Richard and Barbour streets, extending the road's life and reducing ongoing maintenance costs.
The upgrade is funded under the Australian and Queensland governments' $415 million economic stimulus package.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the project is one of several across the state that the Australian Government is backing to deliver better roads and safety outcomes for Queenslanders.
"Upgrading the main street in Esk will ensure locals, freight operators and tourists enjoy a smoother, safer drive along this section of highway," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"Not only will our investment deliver lasting infrastructure, it will also support local jobs and businesses during the construction phase, bringing an economic boost to the town.
"This is another example of our record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action, helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery."
Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the upgrade is another example of the Queensland Government investing in regional Queensland.
"Over the next four years the Queensland Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport plan which is creating 24,000 jobs and driving Queensland economic recovery from COVID-19," Mr Saunders said.
"This includes delivering $17.5 billion worth of project across regional Queensland just like this one."
Mr Saunders said the project contract had been awarded to Boral Pty Ltd and crews were gearing up to start work.
"The Brisbane Valley Highway is a main connector linking the Warrego and D'Aguilar highways, and Esk is a popular destination for tourists," he said.
"More than 5,000 motorists who travel this section of the highway each day will benefit from smoother, safer driving conditions.
"As part of the project, the Brough Bridge deck over Sandy Creek will be resurfaced, and improvements made to the Middle Street intersection, with the installation of a dedicated right-turn lane."
Mr Saunders said the upgrade would build on a series of projects delivered along the D'Aguilar Highway between the Bruce Highway and Yarraman in recent years.
"Through a $24.5 million package of works, a series of upgrades on the highway between Nanango and Kingaroy have been underway since the beginning of this year," he said.
"Last year, $19 million was also announced as part of roads stimulus funding to boost Queensland's economic recovery and, once designed, will fund more safety upgrades in the coming year or two.
"In 2018, a number of road safety treatments were carried out on the highway between Caboolture and Kilcoy, as part of the $16 million D'Aguilar Highway safety improvement project, along with about $7 million worth on maintenance completed on a 3.4 kilometre section at Stony Creek in 2019.
"These projects don't just improve safety for the people who drive the highway regularly, but they support jobs too."
Mr Saunders said the upgrade would be carried out using a combination of day and night works to reduce impacts for motorists and the community.
"Works are expected to be completed before mid-2022, weather and construction conditions permitting, and we will provide regular updates to the community," he said.
"We recognise road works come with unavoidable disruptions and we're working hard to manage these impacts.
"The project team has been engaging with local businesses during the design phase and will continue to do so during construction.
"Thank you to the community in advance for its patience while my department delivers these important works."
This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments under the Regional Economic Enabling Fund, as part of the $415 million economic stimulus package to deliver shovel-ready infrastructure projects and urgent road safety upgrades in Queensland.
The Australian Government has committed $4.4 million and the Queensland Government $1.1 million.
