The call is out for construction crews to rebuild north Queensland’s damaged road network with information sessions held next week
March 9, 2011
Queensland’s Main Roads Craig Wallace is appealing for local companies and workers in the state’s north to fill an estimated 6,500 road repair jobs over the next two to three years.
Wallace says local companies and workers would be needed for $600 million worth of projects that will repair the region’s devastated roads.
This is a doubling of Queensland Main Roads’ normal workload in the region.
“I need as many local companies and workers as possible to join the repair job – from backhoe operators to big consortia,” Wallace says.
“As well as repair work with Main Roads, there will be plenty of work on council road projects and on existing Main Roads construction jobs.”
Far North Economic Development spokesman Steve Wettenhall says repair works will include pavement rehabilitation, widening, strengthening and overlay works and repairs to road infrastructure such as culvert structures.
He says competitive tenders will be called for up to 80 different projects.
Wallace says road crews must be prequalified to take part in the repair effort, or that they get involved with companies that are prequalified.
“Currently, five Cairns-based contractors are doing work worth $34 million and other local subcontractors are working on the $22 million Cardwell Range major project,” he says.
While major road repair packages are worth over $30 million, there will be packages of $10 million and $5 million for smaller companies.
Wallace says workshops next week in Cairns and Townsville will advise companies about how to get involved.
Companies wanting to be part of the program should contact the Road Repair Hotline on 4040 6339 to register.