Crews begin construction on $42.5M Isis Highway upgrade

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith at the Isis Highway upgrade. Image courtesy of the Queensland Government.

The first phase of construction is now underway on the $42.5 million Isis Highway safety upgrade.

Works will include creating 13 kilometres of wide centre lines, installing audio-tactile line marking and 17 kilometres of resealing.

Member for Bundaberg Tom Smith said improving safety on the Isis Highway is crucial to the region’s $4.28 billion economy and key industries including agriculture and tourism.

“Better roads get families home safer, our products to markets across Australia and the globe, and stimulate jobs – which is why this government has injected $4.8 billion in joint stimulus funding over the last year and a bit to upgrade roads right across the region and the state,” he said.

“The wide centre line treatment will improve safety by providing greater separation between drivers travelling in opposite direction.”

Queensland Government found data that shows wide centre line treatments significantly improve safety, with a 46 per cent reduction in head on crashes on sections when wide centre lines treatments are used.

“Audio-tactile line marking and retro-reflective markers will alert motorists when they stray out of traffic lanes, and improve lane visibility at night.”