The Gillard Government will provide up to $160 million for the next stage of the Townsville Ring Road in next month's Budget as part of our commitment to deliver the critical infrastructure needed for North Queensland's economic growth.
The completion of Section 4 of the Ring Road will take traffic off congested local roads by providing a more direct route for trucks around Townsville.
North Queensland deserves a fair return from Queensland's expanding economy and multi-billion dollar resource developments.
That's why the Federal Government is investing more than $2 billion in Queensland infrastructure from the Regional Infrastructure Fund into important projects like the Townsville Ring Road.
Tony Abbott would cut the Regional Infrastructure Fund, denying North Queenslanders their fair share of infrastructure investment and a fair return on Australia's mineral wealth.
This investment builds on the record $8.3 billion Federal Labor is already investing in Queensland's road and rail infrastructure.
Section 4 will link the Douglas Arterial to the Bruce Highway at Mt Low and will be completed in partnership with the Queensland Government, which will contribute up to $40 million of the estimated $200 million project.
Without action, traffic volumes at the Shaw Road / Bruce Highway intersection will reach 64,000 vehicles a day by 2021, including over 5,000 trucks.
Only the Gillard Government has an economic plan to support the sustainable growth of Townsville, by creating jobs, increasing productivity, cutting congestion, improving road safety and supporting a modern economy.