Work is underway on sealing around 30 kilometres of dirt road between the remote Queensland towns of Bedourie and Birdsville.
The $14.5 million work on the Eyre Developmental Road is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Mark Bailey, said sealing additional sections of the key inland transport corridor would provide an immediate boost to regional economies.
“These works take us another step forward to fully sealing the 185-kilometre link between Bedourie and Birdsville,” Minister Bailey said.
Queensland Assistant Minister for Train Manufacturing and Regional Roads, Bruce Saunders, said the upgrade would be delivered progressively through two projects.
“Construction on the first project started this month with works on the second project to begin mid-year,” Mr Saunders said. “Currently 62.5 kilometres between these two iconic towns remain unsealed and following the completion of all works by mid-2022, this will be reduced down to 32 kilometres.
He said it would enable more people to safely journey to annual drawcard events like the Birdsville Big Red Bash and Birdsville Races.
“This investment is paving the way for Birdsville to experience greater growth in its position as a world-renowned tourist destination,” said Mr Saunders.
And Diamantina Shire Mayor Rob Dare has welcomed the news, saying that upgrading the road would help foster growth and prosperity for remote communities.
“Getting these works underway has given us a positive and welcome start to the new year,” Cr Dare said. “There is no doubt these projects are greatly assisting our region in recovering from the impacts of Covid-19 and we are excited about the future opportunities on offer through continuing efforts to upgrade the road.”
Always good news when dirt roads are up graded to sealed roads. Allowing more to experience our country. Looking forward to more sealing of the Central Hwy as well. Still leaving heaps of other unsealed roads for the more adventurist types IMO.
I agree Ray, sealing the Great Central Road would really open up Central Australia but sadly not in my lifetime, maybe my 5 month old great grandsons.
Hi
How much of the road between Bedourie and Birdsville is unsealed
Thanks