The federal and Queensland governments have announced that the first works are set to begin on the $9 billion Bruce Highway safety upgrade package.
In January, the two governments committed to funding to fix Queensland’s Bruce Highway, with the governments vowing today to begin working on the job through an initial $300 million to be invested in early works.
The 16 new projects announced will occur between Gympie and Innisfail and will entail wide centre line treatments between Rungoo and Mourilyan, overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon and a new heavy vehicle rest area in Gin Gin.
Construction will begin immediately, with a further seven projects to then progress preconstruction and design activities for future safety works.
On top of this, the federal government has announced it will provide an additional $200 million to ensure the full delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road, taking its contribution to almost $1.4 billion.
“Queenslanders deserve a long-term plan for essential infrastructure, and the Albanese government is delivering that certainty as we build Australia’s future,” federal transport minister Catherine King says.
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“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.”
The federal government says Rockhampton Ring Road is a transformative project for Central Queensland, and this additional contribution will ensure the necessary funds are available to deliver the project, which will reduce travel times, improve road safety and flood resilience and open up new travel routes to key leisure, retail and education facilities.
The two governments will also focus on transport infrastructure in Central Queensland, including $38 million to begin early works for the critical Beef Roads, $188 million to get started on the Bruce Highway between Gladstone and Rockhampton and $37 million to begin upgrading sections of the Capricorn Highway.
“Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway and that is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce,” Queensland transport and main roads minister Brent Mickelberg says.
“Additional funding from the Australian government towards the Bruce Highway is a 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.”
The early works package of $200 million will involve:
- 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
The design package of planning, worth $100 million, includes:
- 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
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