- Significant upgrades are underway at the intersection of Booral and Boundary roads in Hervey Bay.
- The project will deliver new active transport measures as well as connectivity and accessibility improvements.
- The upgrades are part of the Crisafulli Government's plans to deliver the roads and infrastructure for a growing population.
Major construction has commenced on the Booral Road and Boundary Road intersection at Urangan, after a decade of decline under the former State Labor Government.
The Crisafulli Government is delivering what the Hervey Bay community has been demanding for years: Safer roads, better traffic flow and real action.
The former State Labor Government only delivered broken promises and rising costs as they accrued $6.7 billion in project blowouts across Queensland's road and transport pipeline, leaving one of the Hervey Bay's most notorious traffic bottlenecks unchecked.
For too long, locals have raised concerns about the conditions at the Booral Road and Boundary Road intersection, only to be met with delay and inaction.
Despite repeated commitments, the former Labor Government failed to deliver the upgrade, but the Crisafulli Government is now funding these works and the getting the job done.
This upgrade honours the Crisafulli Government's commitment to deliver the infrastructure Queensland's growing regions deserve, with the project to provide critical safety upgrades and improved connectivity.
This major upgrade replaces the existing T-intersection with a three-leg roundabout, designed to materially improve safety, ease congestion and support more than 12,000 vehicles travelling through the intersection each day.
The project will also deliver:
- A realigned Booral Road and Walkers Road intersection with safer left-in, left-out access.
- Concrete median islands to improve traffic control.
- Pedestrian crossings on all approaches.
- A new off-road shared path for cyclists and pedestrians connecting through the intersection.
These improvements will provide safer, more accessible travel for motorists, pedestrians, and bike riders, something the community has been calling for over many years.
Extensive preparation works, including relocation of underground services and the safe management of asbestos-containing material, have now commenced to ensure construction can proceed safely and efficiently.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the project marked a turning point for the Hervey Bay community.
"This intersection has been a known problem for years, with Labor's cost blowouts and broken promises building year after year. The community was right to demand action," Minister Mickelberg said.
"For too long, this project sat on the shelf while safety risks grew and costs blew out, but we are getting on with the job and delivering it.
"We thank the community for their patience and ask road users to take care as these long-awaited works get underway."
Member for Hervey Bay David Lee said the start of construction reflected years of strong community advocacy finally being heard.
"This is a major milestone for Hervey Bay and a win for locals who have pushed for this upgrade for years," Mr Lee said.
"This project should have been delivered years ago, but instead it was delayed and left unfunded.
"I have fought for this upgrade after Labor's culture of delays and cost blowouts, and I am proud the Crisafulli Government is listening to local concerns and is delivering the roads our community needs to keep up with growth and improve safety."
