Townsville's road boom is set to keep rolling with expressions of interest to design and build the city's $180 million missing ring road link.
The Australian and Queensland governments made the announcement for Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 following another milestone on the jointly-funded $514 million Haughton River project south of Townsville, which now has all pre-cast concrete piles manufactured and onsite, ready for driving into the bridge structures.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said making sure jobs would go to locals and local businesses would be a key focus of the EOI, with up to 200 jobs on offer.
"We've delivered more than $790 million in Townsville road projects over the past four years, creating 1,200 jobs. And we're not letting up," Mr Bailey said.
"This is the final piece of the puzzle for Townsville's Ring Road project, making sure that we're ready for the city's growth and that locals and businesses can access vital services and work."
Federal Member for Herbert Phillip Thompson said he was pleased to have secured 80% of the funding for the project, which recognises the important role Townsville has in the region, including in the trade, tourism and defence sectors.
"Projects such as this one are going to increase the capacity and connectivity of the Townsville road network," Mr Thompson said.
"These projects are delivering significant social and economic benefits by reducing congestion and travel times and improving the efficiency and reliability of freight movements through our city."
The project will duplicate the existing, six-kilometre, two-lane section between Vickers Bridge and Shaw Road to four lanes and add a new connection at Beck Drive.
The design and construction contract will be awarded to the successful contractor next year, with shovels to hit the ground in mid-2021.
Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper also announced planning had started on Riverway Drive Stage 2
"The Upper Ross is booming. That's why the Queensland Government started and finished stage one of Riverway Drive last year, and why we're now undertaking planning on the next three-kilometre section," Mr Harper said.
Technical assessments for stage two, including traffic modelling, will be completed to assist with the planning, in addition to consultation with key stakeholders to be carried out early next year.
