Works on $103m QLD Bruce Highway upgrade near Aldershot now underway

Queensland’s Bruce Highway will be seeing more works done as the $103 million upgrade project near Aldershot gets underway, including the construction of two new bridges at Saltwater Creek and Deadman’s Gully. 

This multi-million-dollar project will be upgrading the bridges and floodways near Aldershot to help reduce impacts of flooding between Maryborough and Torbanlea. 

“These upgrades will provide flood immunity for a one-in-100-year flood, keeping traffic flowing and communities and emergency services connected even during times of crisis. 

“It’s also the Federal Government’s record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action, delivering on our commitment to securing the nation’s recovery and keeping our communities safe. 

“The Federal Government is investing over $10 billion in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway for the over half of all Queenslanders, from Brisbane right through to Cairns, who rely on this key north-south route,” Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said. 

According to Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, this project is just one of the hundreds that are being delivered under the jointly funded $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program. 

“We’re making excellent progress on the pipeline of projects up and down the Bruce Highway, with 154 projects in delivery, including 48 under construction right now. 

“That pipeline gives local workers and businesses certainty that funding will continue to flow into their local economies and is an important part of Queensland’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan. 

“With the $1 billion Gympie Bypass moving ahead, increased funding locked in to build four lanes for the Tiaro Bypass and now works starting at Saltwater Creek, locals in Gympie and the Wide Bay Region will benefit from significant improvements to the highway,” Minister Bailey said. 

This Burce Highway upgrade project will include: 

• Construction of new bridges over Saltwater Creek and Deadman’s Gully 
• Upgrading 4 existing floodways between Maryborough and Torbanlea 

“This section of the Bruce Highway has poor flood immunity and has faced lengthy closures during significant rainfall events, so this important upgrade will help ensure traffic and freight can keep moving during wet weather. 

“This will strengthen the resilience of our national highway, and ensure that passengers and freight movements can avoid disruptions, which has a significant impact on the local economy and particularly the horticulture and cane industries. 

“I thank motorists for their patience during construction, and look forward to the project being completed as we work to rebuild our local economy,” Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said. 

The Bruce Highway Saltwater Creek Bridge upgrade project is anticipated to support up to 286 direct jobs. 

“These projects aren’t just making the highway safer, more flood resilient and less congested, they are also supporting our local economy. 

“They mean local jobs and opportunities are being supported not just for construction workers, but also local businesses and suppliers that can sub-contract to large projects like these,” Queensland Assistant Minister for Regional Roads and State Member for Maryborough Bruce Saunders said. 

These vital upgrades along the Bruce Highway will help communities connected at the event of a natural disaster, at the same time improve general safety as well as create much-needed jobs for the region. 

“We have suffered regular wet-weather closures and delays on this part of the highway, most notably during the 2013 floods when the Bruce Highway was closed for nearly 31 hours due to flooding at Saltwater Creek Bridge, which put a significant strain on essential services and delayed the recovery period. 

“The Bruce Highway is a lifeline during natural disasters, and a better highway also builds a stronger economy and supports jobs,” Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O’Brien said. 

Weather and construction conditions permitting, this Bruce Highway upgrade is expected to be completed by late 2023. 

This project is jointly funded by the Australia and Queensland Governments, each contributing $82.4 million and $20.6 million respectively. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads