Bruce Hwy works bill tipped to blow out as $200m plan revealed

Sections of the Bruce Highway in north Queensland are set to be upgraded and experience cost blowouts as the federal government unveils the first projects funded by a new $9bn package.

Parts of the Bruce Hwy will be upgraded near Townsville and Gin Gin. Picture: TMR.

Sections of the Bruce Highway at Townsville and Gin Gin are set to be upgraded and blow out as the federal government unveils the first projects funded by the new $9bn package.

The Albanese Government in January pledged an additional $7.2bn to finish upgrading the deadly Bruce Highway and bring it up to a minimum three-star safety rating.

It marked the return of the 80-20 funding split between the Commonwealth and Queensland Government, with Premier David Crisafulli confirming the state would contribute the remaining 20 per cent of $1.8bn.

A crash on the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Townsville. Picture: Supplied

The Courier-Mail can now reveal $200m has been allocated to early works across 16 projects, while a further $100m will be put towards planning of priority upgrades.

Rockhampton Ring Road will also receive a $200m funding boost, after Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg earlier this week revealed the $1.7bn project had blown out.

Key projects include the construction of an all-vehicle rest area at Curra Interchange (eastern side) and a new heavy vehicle rest area at Granite Creek.

Ollera Creek Bridge cut in half from flood water on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville in February.

Centre-lines will be widened in critical areas such as Torbanlea to Gin Gin, Etna Creek to Waverley Creek, and Rungoo to Mourilyan, while a new heavy vehicle rest area will be developed in Gin Gin for long-haul drivers and overtaking lanes will be constructed between Ayr and Brandon.

Multiple widening projects between Stratford Road to Chapmans Road, Barton Road, and Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek have also been funded.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Catherine King said the Labor and LNP governments would work together to finally fix the deadly stretch, particularly “high-risk” areas north of Gympie.

“Enough is enough, and it’s time to fix this road which is why we’re coming together with the Queensland Government to get it done,” she said.

Aerial view of Ollera Creek bridge, which was severed by flood waters, north of Townsville on the Bruce Highway. Picture: Ergon Energy.

“These projects are in high-risk areas north of Gympie, where conditions are poor and safety upgrades will go a long way.”

Pavement strengthening will take place at several locations including Alligator Creek, Toomulla Intersection, and Hencamp Creek.

Wide centre-line treatments will also be installed at various high-risk sections, such as Bootooloo Road, Dean Road to Tully High School, and Aldridge Road to Poppi Road, helping to reduce the likelihood of head-on collisions.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Bruce Highway Advisory Council would advise both levels of government on future upgrades.

“We are getting to work with a focus on improving wide centre-line treatment, narrow bridges, flood resilience, intersection upgrades and multi-use rest areas,” he said.

“The Bruce Highway is the spine of Queensland’s road network and we have worked with the Australian Government to unlock funding and fast-track key safety improvements on priority sections of the highway.

“Our newly formed Bruce Highway Advisory Council will continue to play a crucial role in advising the Queensland Government on investment priority and sequencing of key upgrades along the Bruce Highway.”

Aerial view of the Townsville Northern Access Intersections (Bruce Highway, Veales Road to Pope Road). Picture: TMR.

Early Works Package – Construction $200 million:

• Curra Interchange (eastern side) – construction of an all-vehicle rest area

• Stratford Road – widening to improve safety

• Chapmans Road to Stratford Road – widening in sections to improve safety

• Brooks Road – intersection upgrade (new southbound turning lane) to improve safety

• Barton Road – intersection widening to improve safety

• Three Mile Creek – audio tactile line marking and culvert replacement

• Granite Creek – construction of new heavy vehicle rest area

• Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek – installation of wide centre-line treatment

• Bootooloo Road – installation of wide centre-line treatment

• Alligator Creek – pavement strengthening

• Toomulla Intersection – pavement strengthening

• Hencamp Creek – pavement strengthening

• Various locations – pavement strengthening

• Dean Road to Tully High School – installation of wide centre-line treatment

• Aldridge Road to Poppi Road – installation of wide centre-line treatment

• Various locations between Innisfail and Cairns – pavement strengthening

Design Package – Planning $100 million:

• Priority sections of wide centre-line treatment between Torbanlea and Gin Gin

• New heavy vehicle rest area at Gin Gin

• Priority sections of wide centre-line treatment between Etna Creek and Waverley Creek

• Priority sections of wide centre-line treatment between Marian-Hampden Road and Exmoor Road

• Priority sections of wide centre-line treatment north of Ayr to Zinc Road, Townsville

• Priority overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon

• Priority sections of wide centre-line treatment between Rungoo and Mourilyan

Originally published as Bruce Hwy works bill tipped to blow out as $200m plan revealed