Further work begins on Bruce Highway

The Australian Government’s commitment to a safer, more reliable Bruce Highway continues under the 2015-16 Federal Budget with construction beginning on a series of new projects in 2015-16.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss said the 10-year Fix the Bruce Highway Plan is already delivering tangible benefits to improve congestion, safety and reliability along the 1700 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

“Road safety is a critical issue in Australia, costing the national economy an estimated $27 billion a year, let alone the impact on friends and families who have been affected by a road crashes,” said Mr. Truss.

“Under the Budget the coming 2015-16 financial year will see major work commence on Section C of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade between Traveston Road and Woondum Road south of Gympie. The Australian Government will invest $499 million to build a new four-lane divided highway.”

“Work will also start on the Sandy Gully Bridge upgrade, with $46 million in Australian Government funding to enable this section of the Bruce Highway to be flood-proofed, keeping the local coal and agricultural businesses connected to the Abbot Point Port.”

Other major works on the Bruce Highway starting next financial year include:

• Duplication of the Boundary Road interchange – $84 million of Australian Government funding.
• The upgrade at Yellow Gin Creek south of Ayr – $36 million of Australian Government funding.
• A range of safety packages and overtaking lane projects along the length of the Bruce Highway – $632.4 million of Australian Government funding.

“Combined, these projects include major upgrades and realignments, strengthening and widening, and safety measures to target crash sites and provide additional overtaking lanes and rest areas – all aimed at improving the standard of this key corridor for Queensland,” said Mr. Truss.

Planning will continue on a range of projects, including the Caloundra to Sunshine Motorway upgrade, Cattle and Francis Creek upgrade, Mackay Ring Road, Haughton River and Pink Lily Lagoon upgrade, and the Cairns Southern Access Corridor – Stage 2 projects.