Bruce Highway upgrade wins $467m federal budget boost

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has cautiously welcomed the Bruce’s cash injection from the federal government, but the state is waiting to see the detail before celebrating it as a win.

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The Bruce Highway will get a $467 million cash injection from the federal government for critical upgrades to boost safety and get both freight and families to their destination sooner.

In a win secured by the Courier-Mail for Queenslanders, the extra investment of all-new funds over the next four years will include $154m to improve the highway’s north corridor and $15m to plan for the upgrade of the Pine River Bridge north of Brisbane.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has cautiously welcomed the Bruce’s cash injection from the federal government, with the state waiting to see the detail before celebrating it as a win.

Transport Minister Bart Mellish has cautiously welcomed the major cash injection to the Bruce. Picture: Patrick Woods.

This includes a further $129.6m to finish Section D of the Cooroy to Curra upgrade, $32m for the Cairns Southern Access Stage 3 project from Edmonton to Gordonvale and $25.5m to complete the Linkfield Road Overpass.

“I’ll be waiting to see the detail of the funding in the budget,” Mr Mellish said.

“I’m really keen to see what we can do within the funding envelope of what the federal government gives us.

“But our early indications are we’re looking to increase the infrastructure spend in terms of transport (including) the number of projects and the quantum. We’re not looking to cut projects.”

Ongoing projects will also get additional funding in what Treasurer Jim Chalmers said was a “budget for the Bruce”.

Mr Chalmers said the funding was the right thing to do.

“The Bruce is a crucial part of Queensland and that makes it a crucial part of our national economy,” Mr Chalmers said.

The budget boost for the Bruce Highway comes after Prime Minister Anthony Albanese this week declared the route should be just as good as the dual-carriageway M1 between Brisbane and Sydney.

Federal Treasurer and Queensland MP Jim Chalmers has committed funds to the Bruce Highway. Picture: Max Mason-Hubers/NCA NewsWire

And in another promising sign the Bruce Highway could become a key part of federal Labor’s plan to win back Queensland, frontbencher Murray Watt vowed getting the route up to a standard Queenslanders deserve was a priority.

The Courier-Mail is partnering with NRMA Insurance and regional news mastheads across Queensland this year to drive positive outcomes through the Help Our Highway advocacy campaign.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said the Bruce Highway was a vital connection for the state, and the federal government wanted to ensure the work was properly funded and projects are delivered.

“We are working for all Australians to deliver significant infrastructure that increases opportunities and connections, builds communities and improves safety,” she said.

Queensland road safety data revealed stretches of the Bruce from Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Townsville to Ingham and St Lawrence to Mackay were the deadliest.

There were an average of 15, 14.2 and 14.6 deaths per 100 million vehicle kilometres travelled in each of the respective stretches.

An action plan formulated for the campaign called for increased funding commitments from the state and federal government for the route between 2025 and 2030 and for exploring technology solutions including real-time weather, flooding and pothole warnings.

There should also be an audit of rest stop areas to ensure there are enough and are fit for purpose, and for the state government to finalise the strategic vision for the Bruce Highway as recommended by a special advisory council in late 2022.

Originally published as Bruce Highway upgrade wins $467m federal budget boost