Bruce Highway upgrades: What the Wide Bay Burnett region will look like
Planned, ongoing and completed projects are changing the way we travel through the region with more than $1bn in projects in the works.
Gympie
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Queensland’s largest road infrastructure program is well underway, stretching from Brisbane to Cairns on the Bruce Highway with the Gympie Bypass project among the top priorities.
The Wide Bay Burnett region is well involved in the transformation of the highway with lane and intersection upgrades stretching across the area.
The Gympie Bypass hit a major milestone with the first two overpass bridges on the $1bn project opening for traffic.
A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said speed reductions are in place during and after work hours due to factors such as narrow lanes, deep shoulder drop-offs, unclear line marking, or rough surfaces.
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“They will provide long-term gains making travelling the highway safer, more comfortable, and more reliable,” the spokesperson said.
“If planning a trip through Wide Bay Burnett, please be patient and check QLD Traffic for the latest updates on traffic conditions.”
Bruce Highway Section D – Cooroy to Curra
The project construction has been underway since October 2020 and expected to finish mid 2024 with a combined investment of $1bn from the Australian and Queensland governments.
The work at the 26km stretch is expected to ease congestion, improve flood immunity and aid traffic flow on the Bruce Highway cutting through Gympie.
The bypass will avoid 53 intersections and 106 property accesses to separate cars, particularly heavy vehicles, travelling on the highway from local traffic and improve safety.
The upgrades include a divided four-lane highway and a speedzone at 110km/h alongside 43 bridges in 24 locations.
Bruce Highway Gympie to Maryborough – Gootchie Road to Sheehans Road
Work started in December 2021 to provide 2m shoulders along the highway section at a cost of about $24m.
The project also includes turning lane instalments at the Deveron Road, Molteno Road and Sheehan‘s Road intersections as well as roadside treatments such as guardrails, flatter batters or clear zoning.
A wide centre line treatment will also be installed to improve safety between motorists travelling in opposite directions.
It is expected to be completed late 2022.
Bruce Highway Gympie to Maryborough – Tiaro Bypass
A four-lane upgrade, separating concrete median strip and two interchanges are planned for the Tiaro Bypass to improve flood immunity and remove heavy vehicle traffic flow from the township.
The project is currently in the drafting phase with a combined federal and state government investment of $336 million.
The draft designs include a four-lane upgrade stretching for nine kilometres paired with a concrete centre median barrier.
There will be two connection points to Tiaro at Wilson Road and Tahiti Road and overpass bridges to separate traffic and allow safe connectivity.
Bauple Dr will be realigned to connect to the Tahiti Rd interchange.
The project is undergoing community consultation.
Bruce Highway Maryborough to Gin Gin – Saltwater Creek and Deadmans Gully
The project aims to improve flood immunity on an 11km stretch between Maryborough and Torbanlea.
Construction on a high-level bridge on Deadman’s Gully on a new alignment was completed in June 2o22 and a similar upgrade is being built at the Saltwater Creek crossing.
North of Saltwater Creek, four existing floodway sections are to be upgraded to minimise flood closures and a minor realignment of the Herrenberg Street and Rampton Road intersections will be installed to connect to the remaining Bruce Highway upgrades.
The $103m project was joint funded by the Australian and Queensland governments.
Construction is expected to be completed by end 2022.
Bruce Highway Maryborough to Gin Gin – various locations including Wongi to Nulla Flats
Work commenced on a 16km strip from Torbanlea to north of Howard to improve safety for motorists.
The Howard Heights Road intersection will receive left and right turning lanes.
The project aims to reduce potential rear-end crashes and improve traffic flow with a $9.35m investment.
Bruce Highway Tinana – Turning lanes
North and southbound overtaking lanes were installed at Tinana with widened pavement on the western side of the road for new lanes.
A wire rope safety barrier system was also put in place to protect motorists and Iindah Road entry and exit ramps were slightly realigned.
Construction was completed in January this year and had a combined investment of $20.1m.
Bruce Highway to Wide Bay Highway intersection
A roundabout was put in place at the intersection to help safety and capacity issues.
Signage and intersection improvements were installed between the Meadows Lane and Wide Bay Highway intersection.
An additional intersection upgrade at Spring Valley Rd was included in the project.
The upgrade received a total investment of $16.6m.
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