The industry has long called for much needed upgrades along Queensland’s notorious Bruce Highway – and it looks like the first set of works in the $9 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package will soon get underway.
This comes after repeated calls for urgent fixes to the highway from various associations and peak trucking bodies, including the Queensland Trucking Association (QTA). These calls came to a head late last year, following a spate of serious accidents along the problem-plagued freight route.
In January, the federal and state governments committed $7.2 billion and $1.8 billion respectively to fix Queensland’s Bruce Highway.
Upon news of the funding announcement in January, QTA CEO Gary Mahon said works needed to be “kicked into high gear as soon as possible”.
For those who drive along this route, the promised Bruce Highway fixes couldn’t come soon enough.
An initial $300 million in early works and planning will now get underway, 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.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King commented, “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.”
A further seven projects will progress preconstruction and design activities for future safety works.
This funding builds on the existing government funding already committed to the Bruce Highway.
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg added, “Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway and that is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce.
“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.”
Today, the Australian Government also announced an additional $200 million to ensure the full delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road, taking its total contribution to almost $1.4 billion.
The Rockhampton Ring Road will ensure the necessary funds are available to deliver the project, which aims to reduce travel times, improve road safety and flood resilience and open up new travel routes.
Additional funding was also announced today for Central Queensland infrastructure, 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 as 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.
Breakdown of where the first $300 million will be spent
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
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