Bruce Hwy upgrades between Gympie and Bundaberg begin

Traffic flow along affected parts of the Bruce Hwy may be affected. Here is what’s happening:

A $44 million project to transform parts of the Bruce Hwy between south of Gympie and Bundaberg has begun.

A Queensland Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said on Tuesday 19 culverts along more than 245km of the highway between south of Gympie and the Kolan River at Bundaberg will be upgraded, including a site between Lake Alford and Old Imbil Rd at Monkland.

(A culvert is a tunnel carrying a stream or open drain under a road or railway.)

The project will be jointly funded between the State and Federal Governments, who are contributing $8.76 million and $35.14 million, respectively.

A TMR spokesperson said on Tuesday a temporary side track will replace the Bruce Hwy at Monkland to keep traffic flowing once preliminary works are completed and the work begins in earnest.

A culvert between Lake Alford and Old Imbil Rd on the Monkland has been revealed as one of the 19 sites undergoing culvert transformation between Gympie and Bundaberg.

Work will progressively begin as weather and road conditions permit, they said.

“These works will improve safety for motorists and reduce the need for ongoing maintenance and inspections.”

However, it may cause traffic delays.

“Motorists are urged to drive to conditions and observe all road signs and traffic controller directions,” they said.

The work is expected to be completed by mid-2023, weather permitting.