Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road, construct new two-lane road

Mackay Port Access will provide a direct link for freight movements from the Mackay Port to the Mackay Ring Road, and west to the Bowen Basin coal fields via the Walkerston Bypass and Peak Downs Highway.

Benefits

• Improves safety
• Increases capacity
• Improves network efficiency
• Increases traffic flow
• Reduces peak hour congestion
• Better road access
• Reduces travel time
• Contributes to economy
• Contributes to regional growth
• Improves ride quality

Key features

The scope of works in the planning phase of the project includes activities such as business case development, securing the corridor, public utility relocations, implementation of environmental offset measures and associated stakeholder engagement.

This includes the investigation of:

• A 9.5km, 2-lane urban arterial roadway, parallel to Erakala – Mackay Harbour rail line, from the Bruce Highway to Mackay–Slade Point Road (Harbour Road), including:
  • The Bruce Highway interchange at Bald Hill.
  • A T-intersection at Schapers Road and Valley Street and a connection at Mackay-Slade Point Road.
  • Underpasses at Glenella–Richmond Road, Pioneer Street and Mackay–Bucasia Road.
  • Bridges crossing Jane Creek and Goosepond Creek.

Funding

The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and Queensland Government.

Project scope, cost and timing are subject to further planning, consideration and negotiation with the Australian Government.

Investment ID 1170084

A revised project cost of $700 million was announced on 22 December 2023.

Funding figures as at QTRIP 2023-24 to 2026-27 (June 2023).

Current status

At this stage we are undertaking planning, scoping and preparation of the business case which is expected to be completed in early-2025.

Project map