Further to the commencement of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, it has been announced that $412 million has been brought forward by the Crisafulli Government – as part of its first Budget – for works to be delivered in the 2025/26 financial year.
The funding also forms part of this Government’s broader commitment to deliver upgrades for the spine of Queensland, the Bruce Highway, with five priority upgrades now underway.
“Our Budget is delivering upgrades for the Bruce Highway with rubber hitting the road on projects.
“Within three months of coming into government we secured an 80:20 funding split with the Federal Labor Government to fund vital upgrades to the Bruce Highway – something the former state Labor Government had given up on.
“Now we have locked-in $412 million for this upcoming financial year, to continue rolling out safety upgrades where they’re needed most – widening lanes, impriving intersections, and building new rest areas to save lives.
“This is a Budget that backs Queenslanders, investing in safer roads, stronger communities, and a transport network that supports our growing State – and we’re doing it while having respect for taxpayers’ money,” Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said.
Several projects have commenced construction including three at Bauple north of Gympie, a new rest area at Curra, and road strengthening near Hencamp Creek between Townsville and Ingham. Meanwhile, two projects near Townsville are scheduled to begin soon.
The key focus of some of the current projects is the delivery of wide centre line treatment, including audio-tactile line marking, to address the most common types of fatal crashes on the Bruce Highway – run-off road and head-on crashes.
A dedicated Program Management Office has also been established as part of the Budget to oversee the delivery of the Bruce Highway upgrades, outlining 150 new frontline staff to help deliver the program across regional Queensland.
The teams will include engineers, project managers, and safety specialists to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to the highest standards.
Moreover, this year’s Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) includes a record $42 billion for safer roads as well as better transport across the State over the next four years – delivering for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond.
Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program - Early Start Package - Construction
| Project Name | Project Status |
| Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Curra: Construct new rest area | Construction underway |
| Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Stratford Road: Safety improvements | Construction underway |
| Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Chapmans Road to Stratford Road: Safety improvements | Construction underway |
| Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Brooks Road: Intersection upgrade | Construction underway |
| Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Barton Road: Intersection upgrade | Procurement expected to commence mid-2025 |
| Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), 3 Mile Creek: Safety improvements | Procurement expected to commence mid-2025 |
| Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Granite Creek: Upgrade rest area | Procurement expected to commence mid-2025 |
| Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Little Neerim Creek - Deep Creek: Wide centre line treatment | Procurement underway |
| Bruce Highway (Bowen - Ayr), Bootooloo Road: Wide centre line treatment | Construction starting |
| Bruce Highway (Ayr - Townsville), Alligator Creek: Pavement strengthening | Procurement underway |
| Bruce Highway (Townsville - Ingham), Toomulla Intersection: Pavement strengthening | Construction starting |
| Bruce Highway (Townsville - Ingham), Hencamp Creek: Pavement strengthening | Construction underway |
| Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), various locations: Pavement strengthening | Procurement underway |
| Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Dean Road to Tully High School: Wide centre line treatment | Procurement underway |
| Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Aldridge Road to Poppi Road: Wide centre line treatment | Procurement underway |
| Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), various locations: Pavement strengthening | Procurement underway |
Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program - Early Start Package - Design
| Project Name | Project Status |
| Bruce Highway (Maryborough - Gin Gin): Preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements | Early start activities have commenced and a number of design packages have been released to the market |
| Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence): Preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements | Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing |
| Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine): Preconstruction and design for priority safety improvments | Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing |
| Bruce Highway (Ayr - Townsville): Preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements | Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing |
| Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail): Preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements | Early start activities have commenced and a number of design packages have been released to market |
Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Infrastructure Magazine