The federal government has upped its commitment to fixing the Bruce Highway by providing a massive $7.2 billion investment to improve and fix it.

This is the single largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway, and brings the government’s total funding into the project to more than $17 billion total. The funding will see the highway reach a three-star safety rating.

The federal government says that key stakeholders, including RACQ, Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), and Queensland Tourism Industry Council along with everyday Queenslanders have called for more investment and a long-term plan to fix the Bruce.

“Almost half the Bruce has a two-star safety rating and that’s not good enough. This historic investment answers the call of Queenslanders to bring the Bruce up to a three-star safety rating so Australians stop losing their loved ones on this road,” says federal transport minister Catherine King.

“We are providing a significant and long-term commitment to fixing the Bruce, and I call on the Queensland government to partner with us to get this done.”

The Bruce Highway has an average Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than any major highway in New South Wales and Victoria, according to the federal government.

As the major north-south corridor which connects Brisbane to the regional centres of Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, the Bruce is critical to the movement of passengers, freight and tourists across the state – supporting around 62 per cent of the population in Queensland.

“I’ve driven the Bruce Highway many times, and I know the critical role it plays for Queenslanders, tourists and freight,” says Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.

“Today’s announcement takes the total investment in the Bruce Highway to more than $17 billion. Queensland deserves a long-term plan, and that is what my government is delivering. We’re getting on with building a better future for all Australians.”

There will be a number of priority sections, including Maryborough to Benaraby, Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Bowen to Townsville and Ingham to Innisfail.

Projects within the package will include installing safety barriers, wide centre lines and audio tactile line marking, constructing wider shoulders, increasing run off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas and improving intersections, signage, and sight lines. There will also be a focus on resealing and rehabilitating road surfaces.