Works are kicking off on the first safety upgrades under the $9 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package in Queensland.
Earlier this year, the Australian Government has committed $7.2 billion towards this program of works, with the Queensland Government investing $1.8 billion.
“Queenslanders deserve a long-term plan for essential infrastructure, and the Albanese Government is delivering that certainty as we build Australia’s future.
“Enough is enough, and it’s time to fix this road which is why we’re coming together with the Queensland Government to get it done.
“These projects are in high-risk areas north of Gympie, where conditions are poor and safety upgrades will go a long way,” Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.
An initial $300 million is now being allocated to get early works and planning underway. This includes 16 new projects between Gympie and Innisfail, which will involve wide centre line treatments between Rungoo and Mourilyan, overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon and a new heavy vehicle rest area in Gin Gin alongside pavement and culvert strengthening works – with construction to begin immediately.
The 16 projects under the $200 million early works package, which have commenced construction, include:
- Curra Interchange (eastern side) – construction of an all-vehicle rest area
- Stratford Road – widening to improve safety
- Chapmans Road to Stratford Road – widening in sections to improve safety
- Brooks Road – intersection upgrade (new southbound turning lane) to improve safety
- Barton Road – intersection widening to improve safety
- Three Mile Creek – audio tactile line marking and culvert replacement
- Granite Creek – construction of new heavy vehicle rest area
- Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Bootooloo Road – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Alligator Creek – pavement strengthening
- Toomulla Intersection – pavement strengthening
- Hencamp Creek – pavement strengthening
- Various locations – pavement strengthening
- Dean Road to Tully High School – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Aldridge Road to Poppi Road – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Various locations between Innisfail and Cairns – pavement strengthening
Meanwhile, projects in the planning stage, under a $100 million design package, include:
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Torbanlea and Gin Gin
- New heavy vehicle rest area at Gin Gin
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Etna Creek and Waverley Creek
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Marian-Hampden Road and Exmoor Road
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment north of Ayr to Zinc Road, Townsville
- Priority overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Rungoo and Mourilyan
In addition, another seven projects will progress pre-construction and design activities for future safety works.
This funding builds on the existing investment already committed by the Australian and Queensland Governments to the Bruce Highway.
The Albanese Government has also announced that it will provide an additional $200 million to ensure the full delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road. This brings the total Commonwealth contribution to about $1.4 billion.
The additional contribution will ensure that necessary funds are available to deliver the transformative Rockhampton Ring Road project, which will reduce travel times, improve safety and flood resilience as well as open up new travel routes to key leisure, retail and education facilities.
Moreover, the two levels of government are getting on with delivering transport infrastructure for Central Queensland, including the release of Commonwealth funding to jump start work on essential projects in the region, including:
- $38 million to kick off early works for critical Beef Roads
- $188 million to get started on the Bruce Highway – Gladstone to Rockhampton Upgrades
- $37 million to get started on upgrading sections of Capricorn Highway
Projects in the Bruce Highway early works package have been identified by investment priorities from the Bruce Highway 15-year Vision and Action Plan.
“Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway and that is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce.
“Additional funding from the Australian Government towards the Bruce Highway is welcomed.
“We are getting to work with a focus on improving wide centreline treatment, narrow bridges, flood resilience, intersection upgrades and multi-use rest areas.
“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and we have worked with the Australian Government to unlock funding and fast-track key safety improvements on priority sections of the highway.
“Our newly formed Bruce Highway Advisory Council will continue to play a crucial role in advising the Queensland Government on investment priority and sequencing of key upgrades along the Bruce Highway,” QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said.
Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – Media Statements