Construction of the new 12.5 kilometre major regional road will connect the Leichhardt Highway to the Dawson Highway, across the Dawson mining lease, replacing the section of Gibihi Road closed in November 2017.

Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American’s Metallurgical Coal business, Tyler Mitchelson, said the new Three Chain Road solution is major infrastructure for the Moura community and a sustainable solution for the region.

“We’ve carefully considered the route to ensure it incorporates feedback from the community throughout our consultation periods and includes important features, such as a dedicated 4.3 kilometre road leading to a relocated viewing platform, which will encourage local tourism.

“The road has been specifically designed for all weather conditions and provides improved engineering to ensure access during times of flood.

“As part of the infrastructure design, we’ve also worked with the Department of Transport and Main Roads to construct and re-design a new, safer intersection between the new Three Chain Road and the Dawson Highway,” Mr Mitchelson said.

The new intersection has been designed to accommodate safer access based on the expected increase in traffic.

Banana Shire Council Mayor, Nev Ferrier said, Council went through a rigorous process in accessing the three options for the route for the new road.

“After giving all of the options due consideration, and taking into account the assessment provided by Council’s independent consulting engineers GHD, the Three Chain Road plan was identified as the most practical, cost effective and suitable option available.

“There are extensive safety issues associated with constructing a road through the gas fields and it is because of this that the options where the new road came out onto Moura-Theodore Rd were eliminated.

“Council will continue to work closely with Anglo American through the design and construction phases of the project,” Cr Ferrier said.

In preparation for construction, Anglo American has already begun procurement activities, including sourcing major culverts, tunnel arches and other long-lead items.

Anglo American and Banana Shire Council will work with locally-based suppliers for the duration of this project, with over 100,000 cubic metres of road base to be sourced from local quarries. Tenders for major work packages will be also issued to local contractors in October.

Anglo American and Banana Shire Council will continue work closely together to fast-track this project, aiming for completion by the end of 2019. We will continue to provide updates on the progress of this work. Further information, including access to a flyover video of the new road solution can be found in our latest community update.