Four new projects will improve safety and reliability along the Bruce Highway as part of a historic $9 billion investment into the key route.
The next stage of works is part of a more than $500 million joint investment from the Australian and Queensland Governments which will deliver 22 new projects under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
The works include building a stronger, more resilient road surface to boost skid resistance, widening the road and installing wide centre line treatments and audio tactile line markings to create more distance between traffic – reducing the risk of head-on collisions by up to 60 per cent on high-volume rural roads.
Local projects include:
- Bowen to Ayr – pavement strengthening in four sections
- Ayr to Townsville – pavement strengthening in six sections
- Townsville to Ingham – pavement strengthening in five sections
- Mackenzie Creek to Tindall Court – wide centre line treatment with road widening and audio tactile line marking.
“For North Queensland, the Bruce is the lifeline that links our communities, industries, and supply chains,” said Queensland Member for Townsville, Adam Baillie.
“Our port, our defence bases, our agricultural producers, our manufacturers and our local small businesses all rely on trucks moving smoothly up and down this highway.”
Work has already begun on the next round of 22 projects and will continue next year, building on the safety benefits from the first round of 16 priority projects which were announced in March.
Six of those projects are already complete, with eight under construction and the remaining two to commence this month.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said the program’s large budget represents the Australian Government’s commitment to improving road safety.
“Our record funding under the new $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program demonstrates our focus to making this a reality for the Bruce,” she said.
“With significant progress made in delivering the $300 million early start package for the program, this next wave of work will ensure prioritised safety improvements continue to roll out on the Bruce Highway, improving safety for the long-term.”
In other news, the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator is seeking feedback on proposed updates to several Performance-Based Standards regulations.
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