The $103 million jointly funded Saltwater Creek flood immunity and road safety upgrade near Aldershot, Queensland, has been finalised a year ahead of schedule.
The flood immunity project saw an 11 kilometre section of the Bruce Highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea upgraded to withstand major flooding events.
A new high-level bridge at Deadmans Gully has been constructed on a new alignment to replace the existing crossing, which was opened by Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk earlier this year.
Planning for this flood immunity project commenced in late 2018. Construction commenced in July 2021. Works wrapped up over the Christmas and New Year period, which saw speed limits returned to 100km/h along the stretch.
A total of four flood ways north of Saltwater Creek have been upgraded, which aim to reduce the impacts for motorists associated with flood-related highway closures between Maryborough and Torbanlea.
“This new section has been built to a standard that means there is a one per cent chance of the highway being closed due to flooding in any given year,” said Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King.
“We are investing in infrastructure projects that will deliver an immediate economic boost by reducing the potential for social, economic and safety risks associated with flood-related highway closures.”
The $103 million project is jointly funded as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, with the Australian Government contributing $82.41 million and the Queensland Government contributing $20.59 million.
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in Queensland. It will deliver $13 billion of works over a 15-year period (2013-14 to 2027-28). It is aimed at improving safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the length and breadth of the highway between Brisbane and Cairns. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.
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