Work will soon be underway on early works and planning for a range of upgrade projects on the highway
The federal and Queensland governments have announced that work will soon begin on the first set of safety upgrades in the $9 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package.
In January, the federal and state governments committed $7.2 billion and $1.8 billion respectively to the project.
The Queensland government says it is investing $300 million in early works and planning, including 16 new projects between Gympie and Innisfail that include wide centre line treatments between Rungoo and Mourilyan, overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon and a new heavy vehicle rest area in Gin Gin as well as pavement and culvert strengthening. Construction will commence immediately.
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A further seven projects will progress preconstruction and design activities for future safety works.
The federal government has also announced an additional $200 million to ensure the full delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road, taking the Commonwealth’s total contribution to almost $1.4 billion.
Commonwealth funding has also been released to begin work on several transport projects in the region, including:
- $38 million to kick off early works for the 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 the 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 Plans.
Full details of the overall $9 billion package will be developed in consultation between the Australian and Queensland governments, and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council providing advice.
Early Works Package – Construction $200 million:
- 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
Design Package – Planning $100 million:
- 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