Major $163 million Bruce Highway upgrade to start but it won’t be a quick fix

Lane closures, detours, traffic disruptions, reduced speeds – here is what the $163 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway means for motorists.

Construction crews have moved in and are ready to start the $163.3 million upgrade of the Deception Bay Road Interchange at the Bruce Highway – but it will come at a cost for motorists.

Initial works on the project, which is part of the Federal Government's 15-year, $12.6 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, have already started with work on the two new bridges to start in coming months.

Two signalised intersections on Deception Bay Rd, one west of the interchange at Old Gympie Road, and one east at Eastern Service Road, will also be upgraded.

The length and capacity of the one and off-ramps will be increased and a shared pedestrian and bike path will be added to provide a safe crossing point over the highway.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Director-General Neil Scales said improving the interchange would make it quicker and safer for residents, visitors and businesses to get to their destinations.

Transport and Main Roads have released the latest design plans for the Deception Bay interchange upgrade. Photo supplied for Redcliffe Herald

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“The existing two-lane bridge at Deception Bay Road, over the highway, experiences heavy congestion during peak periods,” Mr Scales said.

“The interchange upgrade will improve traffic flow by replacing the existing bridge with two new, wider and longer bridges, plus longer and wider entry and exit ramps, and two upgraded, signalised intersections on Deception Bay Road.

“Metering signals will be installed at entry ramps to balance traffic demands with capacity as traffic enters the highway. New infrastructure for pedestrians and bike riders will also be included to safely cross the Bruce Highway and connect better to local paths.

“Delivery will require a considerable construction effort, with works expected to be ongoing into 2023.”

Federal LNP member for Petrie Luke Howarth discusses the upgrade to Deception Bay Rd interchange with then Federal Treasurer Scott Morrison in 2017. Photo: Erin Smith

A Transport and Main Roads spokeswoman said initial works, during the next few weeks, will include construction of site accesses, fencing, installing roadside barriers on the highway and reducing the speed limit to 80km/h through the project area.

Vegetation will also have to be cleared from the project area along with minor earthworks and drainage works.

“The construction program involves first building one of the new bridges parallel to the existing bridge over the Bruce Highway,” the spokesman said.

“Once this is complete and operational, traffic will switch over onto the new bridge and then the existing one will be demolished.

Bruce Highway traffic at Deception Bay Road, on the Bruce Highway. PHOTO: AAP/Josh Woning

“Once it is demolished, construction can begin on the second bridge.”

The spokesman said during construction there will be various temporary traffic changes to enable to construction of new entry and exit ramps.

“Motorists can expect localised traffic changes including reduced speed limits, road shoulder and lane closures, minor detours, changes to traffic flow and short-term traffic disruptions,” he said.

“Speed limit reductions on the Bruce Highway can also be expected.”

The majority of the works are expected to occur during the day with limited night works.

Motorists can stay up to date with traffic and project information at tmr.qld.gov.au

The project is expected to be completed in early 2023.

The $163.3 million upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments through an 80:20 funding arrangement. The Australian Government is contributing $130.64 million and the Queensland Government is contributing $32.66 million.