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Work gets underway on Bruce Hwy upgrades

New rest areas and a realigned section of the Bruce Highway in Queensland near Gin Gin will open next year

July 10, 2013

New rest areas and a realigned section of the Bruce Highway in Queensland near Gin Gin will open next year.

Work has started on the 6.7km stretch of highway between Cabbage Tree Creek and Carmans Road, with the works to be completed in late 2014.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says an overtaking lane will be built for each direction of traffic, and two heavy vehicle rest stops will be constructed to cater for north and southbound motorists.

“The alignment of this section of the highway will remove tight curves and increase sight distances for motorists, making it easier to see other vehicles,” Albanese says.

“Traffic volumes on the Bruce Highway continue to grow, so I’m pleased that these works will improve safety for the more than 3,500 vehicles that currently travel this section of highway each day, almost 30 percent of which are heavy vehicles.”

Albanese says the Bruce Highway and Monduran Road intersection will also be upgraded alongside other minor upgrades to improve access to private properties along the highway.

Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney says reduced speed limits will be imposed while the works take place.

“Meanwhile, works commenced last year to flatten and realign a 3.7km stretch of the highway further north across Back Creek Range,” he says.

“The project will work to improve the vertical and horizontal alignment along this stretch and will bypass the section locally referred to as the ‘Big Dipper’, with works expected to be completed by mid 2014.

The Federal Government is providing $80 million toward the $100 million cost of the Cabbage Tree Creek to Carman Road upgrade and Back Creek Range upgrade.

“Last year, crews also began working on a $20 million federally funded project to improve a 1.6km section of the highway on the southern approach to Gin Gin,” Albanese says.

He says the safety works are part of the Federal Government’s $5.7 billion investment to upgrade the Bruce Highway.

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