Major rail projects worth almost $305 million are supporting hundreds of construction jobs in regional Queensland, the State Government says.

The largest investment – the $100 million North Coast line upgrade between Townsville and Rockhampton – started construction in July and will support more than 300 construction jobs.

Work is also underway to replace 20 timber bridges between Gympie and Cairns, an $86 million project that will support a further 280 jobs.

Later this month, work wraps up on a $21 million project to modernise Bundaberg’s rail signalling system and upgrade seven level crossings.

A $28 million project to replace 18 ageing timber rail bridges between Rosewood and Chinchilla will have supported 200 jobs once that project ends in October.

A $77 million project to lower 11 historic rail tunnels on the Toowoomba Range to allow for larger container trains is expected to finish in early 2020, having supported 130 local construction jobs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the projects would support more than 1150 regional jobs, demonstrating the economic importance of Queensland Rail’s upgrade program.

“Our rail network is an essential part of the freight supply chain, supporting regional growth and trade through our ports, which in turn means jobs,” Mr Bailey said.

“We need to keep investing in our rail network so it’s safe and efficient for freight and passengers.”

Mr Bailey said rail projects across the state were an important feature of the Palaszczuk Government’s $23 billion roads and transport infrastructure investment over the next four years.