Work has started on a major new east-west road connection through Hervey Bay.
The Australian Government is contributing $7.7 million to the project to connect Urraween and Boundary Roads, as part of the Hinkler Regional Deal. The Queensland Government is also contributing $3.1 million through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme, and Fraser Coast Regional Council is contributing $15.7 million.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Territories the Hon Nola Marino MP said the Hinkler Regional Deal is delivering crucial infrastructure for the region.
"The progress of the Deal demonstrates the value of governments working together” Ms Marino said.
"This project is being delivered in partnership with Fraser Coast Regional Council who have made a significant contribution to a range of projects through the Hinkler Regional Deal.”
Federal Member for Hinkler the Hon Keith Pitt MP said the project was a major priority under the Regional Deal.
“This crucial infrastructure project is an investment both in safety and the local economy,” Mr Pitt said.
“The Hinkler Regional Deal is future-proofing the region, for the benefit of residents for generations to come.”
Member for Hervey Bay Adrian Tantari said the Queensland Government was committed to ensuring Hervey Bay continued to rebound back stronger after COVID-19 by contributing over $3 million to this road upgrade through the State’s Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme.
“This commitment ensures Hervey Bay’s roads keep pace with our city’s growth,” Mr Tantari said.
Fraser Coast Regional Councillor Denis Chapman said the Boundary Road extension would provide alternative and improved access to the Hervey Bay city centre, major shopping centres, tourist destinations and the medical precinct.
"This massive road project – being delivered by local civil construction company SGQ – will provide a significant boost to the local economy, generating employment for 89 people over the next 18 months,” he said.
"With the region’s population forecast to reach 150,000 within 20 years, an improved east-west connection will cater for growth, reduce traffic congestion and take pressure off Boat Harbour Drive, Hervey Bay’s primary east-west link.”
Cr Chapman said the long-awaited project would fill in the missing link between Urraween Road and Boundary Road with a 1.9-kilometre, four-lane dual carriage way.
"The Boundary Road extension has been planned since the 1980s, with most of the road reserve for the project dedicated in the 1990s, so it’s fantastic it’s now able to go ahead,” he said.
"While a lot of the work will occur on the road reserve, there will be impacts on existing roads at various stages over the next 18 months and I thank everyone in advance for their patience during the construction period.”
The project includes new traffic lights at the intersections at Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road. Concrete shared pathways will be provided on both sides of Boundary Road with on-road cycle lanes also being included.
The initial works include the excavation of the drainage area and the removal of vegetation between Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road. The work area will be fenced off to prevent pedestrian access through the construction zone, but no road closures are planned during these initial works.
From February 2022, there may be road closures and detours in the Denmans Camp Road section of the project, while Grevillea Street and Richard Charles Drive are likely to be impacted from mid-2022.
The total project cost is estimated to be approximately $26.5 million, which includes construction, design and project management costs, cultural heritage monitoring, service relocations, landscaping and revegetation.
The Boundary Road extension is likely to be completed in mid-2023, weather permitting.
More details about the project, including a flyover animated video, is available at https://frasercoast.engagementhub.com.au/boundary-road-extension-project.
The Boundary Road Extension Project will provide for the completion of the missing link between Boundary Road and Kawungan Way which will give residents and visitors an alternative and improved access to the Hervey Bay CBD, major shopping centres, tourist destinations and the medical precinct. With the region’s population forecast to reach 150,000 within the next 20 years, an improved east-west road connection will cater for growth, limit traffic congestion and take pressure off Boat Harbour Drive, Hervey Bay’s primary east-west link.
This connection has been planned since the 1980s, with the majority of the road reserve for the link dedicated in the 1990s.
Construction commenced on 15 November 2021 with works likely to be completed July/August 2024, weather permitting.
This project will provide for the construction of a dual lane two way road along the vacant road reserve between the roundabout at the Urraween Road and Kawungan Way intersection connecting to the intersection at Boundary Road and Denmans Camp Road. The project will include new signalised intersections at Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road. The project will also include road lighting, landscaping and drainage works. A shared path will be provided for the length of the road corridor which will improve the east-west connectivity for pedestrians and cyclists.
Drainage modelling has been undertaken as part of the design to identify treatments to minimise stormwater inundation along Denmans Camp Road. Proposed stormwater works include the provision of a retention basin to help control the stormwater flows at the Denmans Camp Road culverts and rerouting of stormwater flows to the open channel drain along Boundary Road east of Maree Street.
The design will include the provision for some vehicle crossovers, where possible, at properties that currently have a defined rear access provision onto the existing
road reserve. Properties located on the northern side between Grevillea Street and Denmans Camp Road that may access the rear of their property through the large
drainage area will no longer be provided with access due to the corridor required for drainage purposes.
To limit traffic disruptions to this main thoroughfare, it should be noted that no additional rear access provisions over and above those being provided as part of this construction project will be permitted. Primary access to properties are through their front access streets.
No. Council will not be replacing or upgrading the existing private property fencing located at the rear of properties that adjoin the Boundary Road Extension road reserve; however, there will be areas of landscaping included between existing fencing and the road reserve area.
Yes. The works will require the use of various machinery such as excavators, profilers, loaders, rollers and trucks as well as hand tools such as demolition hammers and power saws. Noise from the works can generally be expected between 6.00 a.m. and 6.00 p.m. on weekdays. In extreme cases or emergencies where construction outside of these times are necessary residents will be notified.
The total cost of this project is estimated at $32M. This project is being partly funded through the Federal Government’s “Hinkler Regional Deal” with the Federal Government contributing $9.625M of funding towards the project and the State Government's contributing $3.272M through the Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme. The remaining $19.103M will be funded by Council.
Yes. Concrete shared pathways will be provided on both sides of Boundary Road. On road cycle lanes are also included as part of the design.
The speed limit for this section of Boundary Road will be 60km/hr.
Tree removal will occur within the road footprint and every effort will be made to minimise vegetation clearing within this corridor. New trees will be planted to off-set any vegetation removal that is undertaken as part of the project.
Yes. Residents who provide an email contact address will be provided with project updates monthly. Additionally, Council’s Project page for this project will also include details relating to progress of the project on a monthly basis.