More than 50 new tenders are being opened for design and construction projects on Queensland’s notorious Bruce Highway.
The State and Federal Governments announced today that 11 projects had been completed as part of the $9 billion program.
Work was continuing on an additional 46 projects, and almost 60 more will begin progressively from 2026 leading up to final completion in 2030.
The program includes hundreds of kilometres of wide centre-line treatment, pavement strengthening, intersections upgrades and bridge replacements.
In a joint statement Federal Transport Minister Catherine King and State Transport Minister Brent Mickelberg gave the following update.
- 52 tenders (40 construction and 12 design) are about to open for design and construction packages.
- 10 projects to be underway in Central Queensland (7 with construction having started and three to start this month).
- The completion of safety upgrades at Bauple.
- The completion of flood resilience works at Dallachy Road, south of Tully.
- The Curra Rest Area, north of Gympie, is almost completed and will soon be open.
“The 52 tenders will progress more than 200km of wide centre line treatment, 100km of pavement strengthening, five new overtaking lanes, 13 intersection upgrades, two rest areas,” the Minister said.
“(It will also include) the replacement of three narrow bridges in Far North Queensland at Five Mile, Little Moresby, and Boobah creeks.”
The now completed safety upgrades at Bauple will improve traffic flow and reduce crash risks.
This section includes a wider road, dedicated left and right-turn lanes at the Stratford Road intersection, dedicated right-turn lane at the Brooks Road intersection, with additional road widening between Chapmans and Stratford roads.
The 52 new tenders are in addition to following works which will come to market in the next 12 months.
- Nine initial new overtaking lanes at various locations including between Gin Gin and Benaraby, Benaraby and Rockhampton and Townsville and Ingham.
- More than 145km of pavement strengthening.
- 23 intersection upgrades.
- Two new rest areas near Kolanga.
- Replacement of eight narrow bridges between Ayr and Townsville and Ingham and Innisfail, including at Palm Creek, St Margaret Creek, Emmett Creek, Mackenzie Creek and Alligator Creek.
Flood resilience works on the Bruce Highway between Dallachy Road and south of Dean Road near Tully are now complete.
Government modelling shows this will reduce the average yearly flood by 40 percent.
For tender details, visit the TMR website.
