Dangerous stretch of Bruce Highway safer thanks to recently completed upgrades
Key upgrades of a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway north of Townsville have been completed, just in time for Road Safety week.
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As National Road Safety Week kicks off, the state and federal governments have celebrated the completion of a $15m upgrade of a dangerous stretch of the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham, ahead of schedule.
Construction began in March 2022, about 41km north of Townsville, to build a new northbound overtaking lane between Leichhardt and Lilypond creeks, south of Rollingstone, and to widen the road in sections from Leichhardt Creek to Abergowrie Road to accommodate wide centre lines.
Wide centre line treatments, which visually separate oncoming traffic lanes with two new lines a metre apart, increase separation between opposing vehicles, significantly reducing the risk of head-on collisions.
The works complement separate packages recently completed nearby to upgrade the Christmas Creek rest area and install township entry treatments at Rollingstone.
The federally funded project forms part of the jointly-funded 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, a $13bn program to improve safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns.
It aims to reduce Queensland’s road toll, which has recorded 83 fatalities already this year, adding to the 297 lives lost last year.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the Clemant works delivered vital improvements to road safety.
“The result is a wider, safer highway with better overtaking opportunities and a reduced risk of head-on collisions,” Ms King said.
“Creating safer overtaking opportunities is part of the Australian Government’s overall strategy to improve the Bruce Highway and reduce road deaths.
“These upgrades will improve safety for the tourists, commuters, and large percentage of heavy vehicle operators using the highway daily.”
Recognising the huge growth in traffic on the Bruce Highway between Townsville and Ingham, Thuringowa MP Aaron Harper said his government was making record investments to ensure the road was safe and reliable.
“We are committed to ensuring the Bruce Highway is safe for everyone that relies on it, creating more good jobs along the way and providing better services,” Mr Harper said.
“Our Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is ensuring critical intersection works, road surface replacement and upgrades and major safety improvements along the entire stretch of road.
“Investing in road upgrades like this and stage five of the Townsville Ring Road is important to increase safety while supporting good jobs during construction.”
For more information, visit: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects.
Originally published as Dangerous stretch of Bruce Highway safer thanks to recently completed upgrades
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