William Scott
The Federal Government is investing a further $300 million into early works on the Bruce Highway as the first set of safety upgrades begin on the $9 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package.
In January 2025, the Federal and State Governments committed $7.2 billion and $1.8 billion respectively to fix the major Queensland Highway, and the new investment will support early works and planning.
This includes 16 new projects between Gympie and Innisfail, including wide centre line treatments between Rungoo and Mourilyan, overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon and a new heavy vehicle rest area in Gin Gin as well as pavement and culvert strengthening. Construction will commence immediately.
A further seven projects will progress preconstruction and design activities for future safety works.
The Federal Government has also announced that it will provide an additional $200 million to ensure the full delivery of the Rockhampton Ring Road, taking the its total contribution to almost $1.4 billion.
Rockhampton Ring Road is a transformative project for Central Queensland, and the additional contribution will ensure the necessary funds are available to deliver the project, which will reduce travel times, improve road safety and flood resilience and open up new travel routes to key leisure, retail and education facilities.
The Federal Government also announced the release of federal funding to kick off work on essential projects in the region, including:
- $38 million to kick off early works for the critical Beef Roads
- $188 million to get started on the Bruce Highway – Gladstone to Rockhampton Upgrades
- $37 million to get started on upgrading sections of the Capricorn Highway
Projects in the Bruce Highway early works package have been identified by investment priorities from the Bruce Highway 15-year Vision and Action Plans.
Full details of the overall $9 billion package will be developed in consultation between the Federal and State governments, and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council providing advice.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said Queenslanders deserve a long-term plan for essential infrastructure, and the Federal Government is delivering that certainty as it builds Australia’s future.
“Enough is enough, and it’s time to fix this road, which is why we’re coming together with the Queensland Government to get it done.
“These projects are in high-risk areas north of Gympie, where conditions are poor and safety upgrades will go a long way.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg, said Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway.
“That is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce.”
Mr Mickelberg said additional funding from the Federal Government towards the Bruce Highway is welcomed
“We are getting to work with a focus on improving wide centreline treatment, narrow bridges, flood resilience, intersection upgrades and multi-use rest areas.
“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and we have worked with the Federal Government to unlock funding and fast-track key safety improvements on priority sections of the highway,” he said.
“Our newly formed Bruce Highway Advisory Council will continue to play a crucial role in advising the Queensland Government on investment priority and sequencing of key upgrades along the Bruce Highway.”
Early Works Package – Construction $200 million:
- Curra Interchange (eastern side) – construction of an all-vehicle rest area
- Stratford Road – widening to improve safety
- Chapmans Road to Stratford Road – widening in sections to improve safety
- Brooks Road – intersection upgrade (new southbound turning lane) to improve safety
- Barton Road – intersection widening to improve safety
- Three Mile Creek – audio tactile line marking and culvert replacement
- Granite Creek – construction of new heavy vehicle rest area
- Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Bootooloo Road – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Alligator Creek – pavement strengthening
- Toomulla Intersection – pavement strengthening
- Hencamp Creek – pavement strengthening
- Various locations – pavement strengthening
- Dean Road to Tully High School – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Aldridge Road to Poppi Road – installation of wide centreline treatment
- Various locations between Innisfail and Cairns – pavement strengthening
Design Package – Planning $100 million:
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Torbanlea and Gin Gin
- New heavy vehicle rest area at Gin Gin
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Etna Creek and Waverley Creek
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Marian-Hampden Road and Exmoor Road
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment north of Ayr to Zinc Road, Townsville
- Priority overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon
- Priority sections of wide centreline treatment between Rungoo and Mourilyan
For more information on the Bruce Highway Safety Package, visit: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/bruce-highway-upgrade-safety-package-fact-sheet.pdf
