The $85 million Yeppen North project will be constructed by Fulton Hogan, Premier Anna Bligh and Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese announced today.
Ms Bligh said the project was scheduled to begin within months for completion in early 2014, weather permitting.
“With the appointment of Fulton Hogan, we are now one step closer to improving safety and helping ease the congestion at the Yeppen roundabout every morning and afternoon,” said Ms Bligh.
“This project will deliver significant upgrades over a two kilometre stretch including a second Yeppen Bridge, new lanes on the Yeppen Roundabout and intersection upgrades at Jellicoe Street and Port Curtis Road.
“Once completed, the project will deliver improved safety and better traffic flow.
“Construction is set to start mid-year and the upgraded infrastructure should be open to traffic early 2014, weather permitting.”
Mr Albanese said the Federal Labor Government had contributed $68 million to the project with the State Government providing $17 million.
“With projects such as the Yeppen North upgrade and Calliope Crossroads west of Gladstone to start in the next few months, the region is now seeing the much needed investment and improvements to the national highway,” said Mr Albanese.
The Yeppen North project will deliver:

• A new slip lane for traffic entering Rockhampton from Gracemere, addressing congestion and delays at the roundabout;


• Speed reduction curves at all roundabout approaches to reduce the likelihood of accidents and heavy vehicle roll-over on some roundabout approaches;


• Expansion of the roundabout to two lanes between the Yeppen Bridge entry and Capricorn Highway exit to increase capacity and reduce travel times;


• A new 420 m Yeppen Bridge downstream of the existing structure. The new two-lane bridge will be dedicated to outbound traffic and will be approximately three metres higher than the existing Yeppen Lagoon Bridge;


• Both lanes of the existing bridge will be dedicated for inbound traffic;


• Upper Dawson Road and Jellicoe Street intersection upgraded to traffic signals and expanded to cater for oversize loads, cyclists and pedestrians;


• Reconfiguration of Port Curtis Road intersection to be left-in-left-out to directly address safety and visibility concerns at this location.

Further information on the Yeppen North project is available at www.tmr.qld.gov.au.