Australian Govt further invests $7.2bn for a safer Bruce Highway

The Australian Government is investing an additional $7.2 billion to upgrade and fix the Bruce Highway in Queensland and the State Government welcomes this commitment. 

This record funding is the single largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway, and it brings the Australian Government’s total investment for the Bruce to over $17 billion. 

The Department of Transport and Main Roads has estimated a $9 billion budget will help achieve a minimum of three out of five-star safety rating for the entirety of the Bruce Highway. 

“Almost half of the Bruce has a 2-star safety rating and that’s not good enough. This historic investment answers the call of Queenslanders to bring the Bruce up to a 3-star safety rating so Australians stop losing their loved ones on this road. 

“We are providing a significant long-term commitment to fixing the Bruce, and I call on the Queensland Government to partner with us to get this done,” Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said. 

The Australian Government is funding 80 per cent of that estimated $9 billion, in recognition of the Bruce Highway’s national importance as well as its unique challenges and dire safety record. 

Key stakeholders including RACQ, Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), and Queensland Tourism Industry Council as well as everyday Queenslanders have called for more investment and a long-term plan to fix the Bruce Highway. 

The corridor has an average Fatal and Serious Injury0 (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than any major highway in New South Wales and Victoria. 

“I’ve driven the Bruce Highway many times, and I know the critical role it plays for Queenslanders, tourists and freight. 

“Today’s announcement takes the total investment in the Bruce Highway to more than $17 billion. 

“Queensland deserves a long-term plan, and that is what my Government is delivering. 

“We’re getting on with building a better future for all Australians,” Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said. 

The Bruce Highway is critical to the movement of passengers, freight and tourists across Queensland, and it is a major north-south corridor that connects Brisbane to the regional centres of Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns. 

The new investment will fast-track the delivery of critical projects along the entire corridor, initially focusing on priority sections north of Gympie that have been identified by stakeholders due to higher-than-average crash rates. 

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

“We backed the Bruce with billions in the Budget and now we are investing billions more in the Highway that means so much to our regional and national economies. 

“As a Queenslander I know how important the Bruce is to our state, from the south east corner to the tropical far north and everywhere in between. 

“This is all about transporting people, goods and opportunities and linking and strengthening local communities and economies right around regional Queensland. 

“As Treasurer and as a Queenslander I’m especially proud of the billions we’ve found to back the Bruce,” Treasurer Jim Chalmers said. 

Projects to be carried out may include installing safety barriers, wide centre lines and audio tactile line marking; building wider shoulders; increasing run off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas; and improving intersections, signage, and sight lines. 

Focus will also be given on resealing and rehabilitating road surfaces for resilience to “Build Back Better”, helping mitigate damage from increasing weather events. 

Identification and prioritisation of projects to be funded under the new safety package will be informed in consultation with the Queensland Government and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council – with works expected to commence this year. 

Source: Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government; Queensland Government – Media Statements; Infrastructure Magazine