Planning progresses for QLD Bruce Highway Western Alternative Stage 2

The future Bruce Highway Western Alternative project in Queensland marks a new major milestone with the identification and reveal of the preferred route for Stage 2 that will connect the areas Moorina and Narangba. 

The 16-kilometre Stage 2 corridor has been chosen following an extensive community consultation phase that garnered more than 1,000 responses since July of this year. 

Along with Stage 1, the Bruce Highway Western Alternative will deliver a 60-kilomete transport corridor that extends from Steve Irwin Way at Beerburrum to the North Brisbane area. 

“We expect more than 656,000 people to move to the Moreton Bay region by 2041. 

“This western alternative to the Bruce Highway will be essential in supporting growth and to prevent gridlock between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast. 

“Planning ahead allows us to give certainty to local residents, and ensure we are delivering something that meets the needs of the community in the long term,” Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said. 

Preferred alignment for Stage 2 (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

The Minister also thanked all those who have engaged in the consultation and planning process and encourages Queenslanders to stay engaged as planning progresses to Stages 3 and 4. 

Gazettal of the Stage 2 project will be carried out in 2023 and it will outline the requirements for the area as a transport corridor as well as ensure that the route is protected from future development. 

Currently, half of the corridor has been secured. 

The alignment for the eight-kilometre section for Stage 1 – from Moodlu to Moorina – was confirmed in late 2021. 

“The release of the preferred alignment for Stage 2 gives landholders and homeowners more certainty around our future transport needs. 

“Moreton Bay is one of the fastest growing regions in Australia and we need to plan for that population growth. 

“We all want to spend less time in traffic and this road project is an important part of ensuring that residents have good access to community infrastructure and jobs,” Minister Bailey said. 

Planning for Stage 3 – from Narangba to Bald Hills – of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative will begin in 2023 and planning for Stage 4 will follow. 

Early submissions and feedback are already being accepted for the next stages of the project and locals are recommended to register for email updates. Early feedback can also be provided online or by getting in touch with the project team. 

Planning stages for the project (source: Department of Transport and Main Roads)

Stage 1 of the Bruce Highway Western Alternative will start at the northern end of the alignment near Caboolture West then head south towards the emerging community of Pine Valley. The second stage will continue south from Pine Valley to the end of the alignment at Browns Road in Narangba. 

Key features of the overall project will include: 

• Improves access and connectivity for emerging communities 
• Supports major expansion areas identified in SEQ Regional Plan, including Caboolture West, Morayfield South, Pine Valley and The Mill at Moreton Bay Priority Development Area in Petrie 
• Improves safety 
• Increases certainty for future developments within the area 
• Increase transport capacity 
• Supports future economic development of the Moreton Bay region 
• Preserves and supports the existing function and efficiency of the Bruce Highway 
• Reduces travel time 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads (1, 2); Infrastructure Magazine; Roads & Infrastructure Australia