• Central Queensland Region
  • Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
Location
Mackay
Timing
Mackay Ring Road (Main project) — Completed September 2020
Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road connection — Completed August 2025
Status
Completed

Mackay Ring Road

The Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection Project delivers a significant upgrade to the Brue Highway.

This 400m duplicated section of the Bruce Highway between the Mackay Ring Road and Bald Hill Road improves safety and travel times for motorists travelling through Glenella.

The upgrade provides a consistent road user experience, extending the duplication from the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade (completed in September 2022) through to the Mackay Ring Road roundabout.

The project is a continuation of the 11.3km ring road route which connects the Bruce Highway at the Stockroute Road roundabout in the south through to the Bruce Highway, north of Mackay.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Better road access
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency

Key features

Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road connection

  • Bridge over Port Rail line.
  • Intersection upgrade for the Bruce Highway/Bald Hill Road.
  • Duplication of the Bruce Highway between Mackay Ring Road and Mackay Northern Access.
  • Duplication of Bruce Highway overpasses.

Funding

This project is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. Investment ID 1491450

Total investment
$497.3 million
Australian Government
$397.9 million
Queensland Government
$99.4 million

Key milestones:

  • September 2020: Mackay Ring Road completed.
  • March 2022: Detailed design for Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection completed.
  • August 2022: Tender for construction of the Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection awarded.
  • November 2022: Construction started.
  • August 2025: Mackay Ring Road Bald Hill Connection completed.

Current status

Completed in August 2025.

Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road connection project overview map

Map showing the location of the Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection

Last updated: 20 March 2026