Council paves the way with road improvements

With the end of the wet season, road improvements across Townsville are picking up pace.

Townsville Mayor Jenny Hill said Council maintains 1,830km of roads and it’s a constant process of improvement with 38 road projects completed this financial year.

“We understand the importance of maintaining our road network for the community.

“It is a big job, and we work cooperatively with Department of Transport and Main Roads to ensure the entire network is maintained,” Cr Hill said.

Council’s $171.2M investment in roads, transport and drains in the 2022/23 financial year includes major roads and suburban streets, with the completion timeframes ranging from one day to several months depending on project requirements.

The investment in local roads includes $5.6M for the Road Reconstruction Renewal Program incorporating 14 separate projects around the city and $541,000 for road re-seals.

Cr Hill said that it is important to remember that road maintenance isn’t just about the road surface itself, it’s also the maintenance of associated infrastructure like kerb and channelling, stormwater drains and inlet pits.

“We maintain billions of dollars of assets and infrastructure that are decades old.

“When it comes time to replace that infrastructure, including roads, we need to consider the whole life cycle of that asset and how we can maximise that investment.

“It’s not just putting a new surface on a road,” Cr Hill said.

Infrastructure Services Committee chairperson Kurt Rehbein said Council’s road maintenance schedule is prioritised as part of the asset capital plan.

“I am pleased with the work that we’ve done like the resurfacing of Campion Circle in Kirwan along with extensive road maintenance on Magnetic Island,” Cr Rehbein said.

“There’s a lot of road maintenance activity happening at Horseshoe, Arcadia, Picnic and Nellie Bays that improves the network on the island.”

Murray Street in North Ward will be improved later in 2023 and Gregory, Leichhardt and Alexandria Streets will also be improved with a $1.6M project incorporating the road, kerb and channelling, footpaths and drainage.

Garbutt is also a focus for Council’s road improvements, with Meenan Street and its associated infrastructure being improved in an 11-week project scheduled to be completed in mid-July.

“We want you to be aware of works like this if you are using that route to access Townsville Airport,” Cr Rehbein said.

Features such as trees and nearby facilities are also considered in Council’s road projects.

“If a tree has been classed a significant, meaning it enhances the appeal of the street, we do what we can to work around it,” Cr Rehbein said.

“When we’re doing street improvements we consider the impacts on residents, pedestrians, schools, aged care facilities and disability facilities.

“Our aim is to ensure the result is as-good or better than what was there previously, with no negative impacts on access to houses or businesses.

“When access is going to be temporarily affected, we work with residents and businesses on a solution that works for everyone.”

Allendale Drive at Alligator creek will be improved with a $190,000 road stabilisation project to repair rough surfaces and to mitigate the risk of aquaplaning during heavy rain.

Allambie Lane and Miles Avenue at Rasmussen have been improved as part of a $2.8M project to upgrade the route that is a well-used route for vehicles.

One of the biggest challenges that Council faces with road maintenance is the soil quality underneath the extensive road system.

“We’ve learnt to expect the unexpected when we undertake road works because the challenges are often hidden,” Cr Rehbein said.

“Much of Townsville is geologically a large saltpan, and that means that our crews have to sometimes replace the sub-base and address other soil-related issues.

“Added to that, we work with utility providers to identify and deal with infrastructure such as cables and pipes that may not have been recorded when they were installed decades ago.”

Stay informed about current and future road and other infrastructure works by visiting Council’s Works and Road Closures page, or by calling 13 48 10. Residents can also report road maintenance issues by using the Snap Send Solve app.

More key road improvement projects undertaken by Council in the 2022/23 financial year:

• $1.5M has been budgeted for improvements to Horseshoe Bay Road – guardrails and safety signage.
• $293,000 was budgeted for the recent replacement of the Mundy Creek pedestrian bridge at Rowes Bay.
• $230,000 was budgeted for the new Lou Lister Park footbridge at Hermit Park.
• $395,000 was budgeted for the Woolcock Street Service Road improvements.
• $200,000 was budgeted for improvements to Bowhunters Road at Condon.
• $306,000 was budgeted for resealing of Bonny Court at Rasmussen; and
• $770,000 was budgeted for the full reconstruction of Isaac Street at Deeragun.