Tiaro bypass concept design released ahead of construction

The concept design of the $336 million Tiaro bypass has been released, and includes 9km of four-lane highway across Tiaro, between Maryborough and Gympie, complete with interchanges north and south of Tiaro. Take the first look here:

A concept design for the highly-anticipated $336 million Tiaro Bruce Highway bypass has been released, after months of campaigning.

The concept design includes 9km of four-lane highway across Tiaro, between Maryborough and Gympie, complete with interchanges north and south of Tiaro.

Deputy Prime Minister and Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Minister Barnaby Joyce said the upgrade would address safety, flood immunity and traffic efficiency issues on the Bruce Highway.

FIRST LOOK: The just released Tiaro bypass concept design.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said it was included in the State Government’s roads and transport budget, which includes nearly $1.8 billion worth of road and transport infrastructure across the Wide Bay, Burnett and South West regions.

Wide Bay MP Llew O’Brien said the Tiaro community had fought for the bypass, which would be an asset to the Fraser Coast economy.

He encouraged residents to review the concept design and consider how it will affect the traffic across Tiaro.

The Tiaro bypass has been a point of political focus for some time. Former deputy prime minister Michael McCormack and Wide Bay MP Llew O'Brien shake hands as Fraser Coast councillors (L) Denis Chapman, Phil Truscott and Paul Truscott watch on after $268 Federal funding was announced for the Tiaro Bypass in June 2021. Photo: Stuart Fast

“Our joint investment in Tiaro will support an estimated 490 direct jobs over the life of the project, and when completed the new section of highway will support agriculture, heavy industry and manufacturing by enabling the safe and efficient transportation of produce and goods from our region,” Mr O’Brien said.

Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said planning for the bypass was now underway.

The bypass is estimated to support an average of 490 direct jobs during its construction.