Bruce Highway upgrade at Kuttabul includes turn off road to nowhere

The State Government just spent $39 million upgrading a stretch of the Bruce Highway between Mackay and Proserpine. But works include a road to destination nowhere.

A decision to permanently shut a destination means a recent $39 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway now includes a road to nowhere.

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said the Leap to Carey’s Creek rehabilitation and widening project made safety improvements and upgrades to nine intersections between Hampden and Kuttabul.

“It included improved lighting, and the outbound and northbound channelised right-turn lanes into both McGills Road and the Kuttabul Transfer Station Access Rd,” the spokeswoman said.

Kuttabul resident Gina Zimpel was concerned about the McGills Road turn off along the Bruce Highway. Picture: Heidi Petith

The right-turn lanes completed this year came after Kuttabul resident Gina Zimpel said she was concerned about being sandwiched between an oncoming truck and cars turning right to the dump.

But come October 4, that dump will permanently close to the public.

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said operating funds would be redirected to where they were needed with council removing underused services and facilities.

“On average only about eight customers use the Kuttabul Transfer Station each week, and it was costing council more than $75,000 a year to operate,” Cr Williamson said.

“At neighbouring transfer stations usage is about 75 customers per week.”

Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson says not enough people are using the Kuttabul Transfer Station to warrant keeping it open. Picture: Heidi Petith

Cr Williamson said extra resources would be allocated to neighbouring transfer stations to service Kuttabul residents with extended recycling facilities as well as opening hours at the Otterburn and Kolijo sites.

Otterburn will open from 8am to 4pm Wednesday to Sunday and Kolijo will operate from 12.30pm to 5pm Wednesday to Sunday.

The TMR spokeswoman said the $39.13 million upgrade was part of a $13 billion, 15-year works to improve the Bruce Highway’s safety, flood resilience and capacity.

“The project also includes an additional $1.1 million of works under the Australian Government’s Black Spots, Rest Areas and Safety Upgrade program,” she said.

“A further $1.07 million was also funded as part of the Australian Government-funded Bruce Highway — Overtaking Lanes Package.”