Bruce Highway to receive $9 billion in critical funding

Bruce Highway in North Queensland.

The Australian Federal Government has announced it will secure $7.2 billion in funding to fix the Bruce Highway in Queensland.

Nearly 1,700km long, the highway stretches between Brisbane and Cairns and is the main freight arterial on the east coast of the state.

The long overdue upgrades are part of a pre-election commitment by the Albanese Government and will bring the Bruce Highway up to a minimum three-star safety rating.

The funding will be split 80:20 with the new Queensland State Government who will make up the remaining $1.8 billion.

This commitment follows the first meeting of the newly formed Bruce Highway Advisory Council which includes regional representatives.

It’s the single largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway and the Department of Transport and Main Roads has estimated $9 billion will achieve a minimum of three out of five-star safety rating for the entirety of the Bruce.

The new safety package will fast-track critical projects along the whole corridor, and will initially focus on priority sections north of Gympie that have been identified by stakeholders due to their higher than average crash rates.

Priority sections include Maryborough to Benaraby, Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Bowen to Townsville and Ingham to Innisfail.

Projects within the package may include installing safety barriers, wide centre lines and audio tactile line marking; constructing wider shoulders; increasing run off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas; and improving intersections, signage, and sight lines.

In a statement Treasurer Jim Chalmers said it was “all about transporting people, goods and opportunities and linking and strengthening local communities and economies right around regional Queensland.”

Key stakeholders, include RACQ, Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), and Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

RACQ CEO David Carter said after months of relentless evidence-based campaigning, this is a much needed win for the people of Queensland.

“Right now, Queenslanders are three to five times more likely to be killed or seriously injured in a crash on the Bruce Highway compared to the Pacific Highway in New South Wales and Hume Highway in Victoria. It’s simply not fair,” he said.

“Queensland has 180,000km of roads and while the 1,673km-long Bruce Highway makes up less than 1 per cent of that network it accounts for more than 10 per cent of the road toll.

“When New South Wales and Victoria had their major national highways fixed, the Federal Government covered at least 80 per cent of the funding needed, now it’s the Bruce’s turn for serious funding,” he said.

QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg welcomed the return of the long-standing 80:20 funding for the state’s most critical transport infrastructure.

“Since forming Government, we have been calling for Queensland’s fair share of funding from the Federal Government at every opportunity,” said Minister Mickelberg.

“Queensland deserves better than a second-class highway and that is why we are focused on delivering a safer and more reliable Bruce.”

  1. Australian Truck Radio Listen Live
Send this to a friend