QLD calls for Bruce Highway funding boost

The Queensland Government is calling for a federal funding boost for the Bruce Highway, to improve road safety and support regional jobs.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Federal Government needed to increase its current annual commitment to the Bruce Highway from an average of $666 million a year to $800 million a year.

“Under a longstanding 80:20 funding agreement with the Federal Government, we’ve got important projects under construction right now, including stage one of the Mackay Ring Road, the Haughton River upgrade south of Townsville and the Cairns Southern Access project,” Mr. Bailey said.

“We can do so much more, that’s why we’re asking for the Federal Government to commit to a new deal that would lock in a $1 billion a year to support major upgrades over the next decade, overseen by the Bruce Highway Trust.”

Mr. Bailey has also asked the Federal Government to sign up to the Bruce Highway Trust, a 15-year vision with five-year action plans on Bruce Highway upgrades.

“Bruce funding doesn’t need to be a political football and that’s why we committed to set up the Bruce Highway Trust,” Mr. Bailey said.

“This funding allows us to target areas where we know crashes happen by building overtaking lanes, turning lanes or installing safety barriers or wider centre lines.”