TWO parts of the North Mackay traffic puzzle are about to finally fall into place with the Kooyong intersection and Barnes Creek Bridge expected to open this Saturday.

The opening will come as a relief to motorists who have been extremely patient since the projects started more than two years ago.

But the Department of Transport and Main Roads still has more pieces of the North Mackay traffic puzzle to put together.

The Joint Levee Road is the next part of the jigsaw and that is expected to slot into place in the coming weeks. The $20million project is the missing piece in the levee system that protects much of North Mackay from flooding and will provide an alternative route to the Port of Mackay.

Work on the Forgan Bridge replacement and duplication project is still forging ahead and is expected to be completed in July.

However, all eyes are now on Main Roads' delivery of a big piece of the North Mackay traffic puzzle: a long-awaited upgrade of Malcomson Street.

The State Government has promised the upgrade will happen after the completion of the Joint Levee Road.

Member for Mackay Tim Mulherin said Main Roads was in discussions with Mackay Regional Council to determine the future use of Malcomson Street so that plans for the upgrade could be finalised.

Business owners in Evans Avenue, North Mackay, will be pleased the traffic puzzle is finally starting to come together after suffering huge financial losses due to traffic disruptions in the area.

TJ Picture Framing owner James Marrs was “elated” the Kooyong intersection and Barnes Creek bridge were about to open.

“We're looking forward to it (roadworks) coming to a close and I'm sure all the other businesses will be too,” he said.

“Our biggest worry though is people won't remember we're here because for two years they have been using other routes.”

mr Marrs had a novel idea to get business back to Evans Avenue.

“Main Roads should have a Mardi Gras to get us on our way,” he said.

OPENING DATES

Kooyong intersection and Barnes Creek Bridge: Expected to open to traffic this Saturday

Joint Levee Road: in coming weeks

Malcomson Street: Main Roads will upgrade the section between Glenpark Street and Evans Avenue after the Joint Levee Road is complete

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