Transport Minister officially opens $103m Saltwater Creek Bruce Hwy upgrade

A $103m Bruce Hwy upgrade near Maryborough has been finished a year ahead of schedule, with Transport Minister Mark Bailey hitting back against critics at the official opening.

A major Bruce Hwy project has been completed a year ahead of schedule, allowing drivers to get home safer and sooner and providing more flood resilience.

The $103m Saltwater Creek upgrade near Aldershot was officially opened on Thursday by Acting Premier Steven Miles, Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders.

An 11 kilometre section of the highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea was upgraded to be more flood resilient – ready to withstand major flooding events.

A new high-level bridge at Deadmans Gully has been constructed on a new alignment to replace the existing crossing.

At Thursday’s opening Mr Bailey celebrated the project was delivered a year early and on budget.

Why mystery surrounds Fraser Island Irukandji stings

Mr Bailey delivered a blow to Opposition leader David Crisafulli – who he said claimed only days ago that no project would be delivered on time or budget by the state government.

“Two days later, we’re opening a Bruce Highway upgrade that’s on budget and a year early,” he said.

“Put that in your pipe and smoke it.”

The $103 million Saltwater Creek upgrade near Aldershot was officially opened on Thursday by Acting Premier Steven Miles, Transport Minister Mark Bailey and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders.

Mr Bailey said holiday makers heading up and down the coast will reap the safety benefits from the upgrade, as well as residents and workers.

“This stretch connects to the future location of our Queensland made Train Manufacturing hub in Torbanlea so will be getting a workout sure enough,” he said.

Works wrapped up over the Christmas and New Year period, with speed limits returned to 100km/h.

Four floodways north of Saltwater Creek were upgraded in a bid to make the Maryborough to Torbanlea section more flood resilient.

It was jointly funded with the Australian Government contributing $82.41m and the state $20.59m.

“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,” Federal Minister Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said.

An upgrade to an 11km section of the Bruce Hwy was officially opened on Thursday after the project was delivered on time and on budget.

“We are investing in infrastructure projects that will deliver an immediate economic boost by reducing the potential for social, economic and safety risks associated with flood-related highway closures.”

Queensland Assistant Minister Regional Roads and Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said he had seen first-hand the effects of flooding cutting off the Bruce Highway.

“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, meaning you can get home safer and sooner,” he said.

“This upgrade is one of 55 that are currently underway on the Bruce Highway alone showing just how mammoth our commitment to a better Bruce really is.

“Thank you to drivers for their patience throughout construction.”