The Bruce Highway is a constant concern for residents, especially up north. There are many areas of this highway that are not up to scratch and we can all agree that the recent floods in January have proven this, especially for the Ingham to Innisfail area.
Today marks a major development:
The Albanese Labor Government and Crisafulli Queensland Governments are delivering on our promise to fix the Bruce Highway, with work to begin on the first set of safety upgrades in the $9 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package.
In January, the Federal and State Governments committed $7.2 billion and $1.8 billion respectively to fix Queensland’s Bruce Highway.
Today, we’re getting on with the job by investing an initial $300 million in early works and planning including 16 new projects between Gympie and Innisfail that include wide centre line treatments between Rungoo and Mourilyan, overtaking lanes between Ayr and Brandon and a new heavy vehicle rest area in Gin Gin as well as pavement and culvert strengthening. Construction will commence immediately.
A further seven projects will progress preconstruction and design activities for future safety works.
Ingham to Innisfail to start immediately
One of the first areas to fix will be in Far North Queensland with the Innisfail to Ingham stretch of highway being included in the Early Works Package and Design. This is a great step in ensuring FNQ is not left an island (again) in the event of major flooding or natural disasters.
This funding builds on the existing funding already committed by the Australian and Queensland Governments to the Bruce Highway.
Projects in the Bruce Highway early works package have been identified by investment priorities from the Bruce Highway 15-year Vision and Action Plans.
Full details of the overall $9 billion package will be developed in consultation between the Australian and Queensland governments, and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council providing advice.
For more information on the Bruce Highway Safety Package, visit: investment.infrastructure.gov.au/sites/default/files/documents/bruce-highway-upgrade-safety-package-fact-sheet.pdf
