The $103 million jointly funded Saltwater Creek upgrade near Aldershot, which saw an 11-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea upgraded to be more flood resilient, has been completed a year ahead of schedule.
A new high-level bridge at Deadmans Gully has been constructed on a new alignment to replace the existing crossing.
“This new section has been built to a standard that means there is a one per cent chance of the highway being closed due to flooding in any given year,” explained Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King.
Works wrapped up over the Christmas and New Year period, which saw speed limits returned to 100km/h along the stretch.
A total of four floodways north of Saltwater Creek have been upgraded, which aim to reduce the impacts for motorists associated with flood-related highway closures between Maryborough and Torbanlea.
“We’re delivering big on the Bruce, especially here in the Wide Bay,” said Queensland Assistant Minister for Regional Roads and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders.
“I saw firsthand, as did our community, the effects of flooding cutting off the Bruce Highway – something upgrades like what we’ve delivered here hope to eliminate.
“I’m sure locals, tourists and our heavy vehicle operators will be pleased to see the reduced speed limit lifted 12 months ahead of schedule.”
The $103 million project is jointly funded as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, with the Australian Government contributing $82.41 million and the Queensland Government contributing $20.59 million.
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in Queensland. It will deliver $13 billion of works over a 15-year period (2013-14 to 2027-28). It aims to improve safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the length and breadth of the highway between Brisbane and Cairns. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.
Several projects remain underway on the Bruce Highway between Gympie and north of Bundaberg. For up-to-date information on road projects, closures and conditions across the state, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au, call 13 19 40 or download the QldTraffic app.
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