Councillor: four-lane Tiaro bypass will create more jobs

Fraser Coast councillor Phil Truscott is putting pressure on the State Government to upgrade the Bruce Highway north of Gympie to a four-lane bypass of Tiaro

Fraser Coast councillor Phil Truscott is putting pressure on the government to upgrade the Tiaro bypass to four lanes.

Fraser Coast councillor Phil Truscott has joined Wide Bay Federal MP Llew O’Brien in campaigning for an upgrade to the planned two-lane Tiaro bypass, north of Gympie.

Councillor Truscott said only 44km of the highway between Brisbane and Maryborough remained at two lanes, which if upgraded would promote business, growth and jobs.

He also said the increased number of cars travelling in South East Queensland warranted four lanes.

“I’m sure there would be 12,000 or more cars coming through Tiaro every day,” Mr Truscott said.

Mr O’Brien has been campaigning hard for a four-lane bypass, and engaged in a war of word with State Transport Minister Mark Bailey over the issue.

“The Queensland Government should just get on with the job and provide plans for the four-lane Tiaro bypass that our region needs and deserves,” Mr O’Brien said.

An e-petition launched in March and calling on the State to put forward a plan for a four-lane bypass has 2600 signatures.

A Transport and Main Roads representative said on Friday planning for a two-lane bypass was expected to be completed later this year.

“The design will be compatible with a future four-lane upgrade, reducing costs in the long term,” the spokesman said.

“A decision about when to fund the four-lane upgrade will be made in consultation with the Australian Government.”

To sign the petition, click here

Originally published as Councillor: four-lane Tiaro bypass will create more jobs