Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program Queensland has ever seen. It is aimed at improving safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the length and breadth of the highway between Brisbane and Cairns.

Starting on 1 July 2013, the program was initially developed as an $8.5 billion 10-year commitment jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments. In May 2018, the Australian Government committed an additional $3.3 billion (based on 80:20 funding arrangements) to its existing $6.7 billion commitment.

The Queensland Government also committed to providing an additional $200 million each year (based on 80:20 funding arrangements) for upgrades on the Bruce Highway on top of the already provided $1.8 billion. 

In 2022, a jointly funded boost of $883 million was introduced for the Bruce Highway to target upgrades between Gladstone and Rockhampton, Mackay and Proserpine, north of Townsville, and for the Tiaro Bypass.

In total, the program will deliver $13 billion of works over a 15-year period (2013–14 to 2027–28).

The establishment of the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council is a key commitment under the Queensland Government’s Future-Proofing the Bruce policy.

The Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council is overseeing the development of a 15-year Vision and three 5-year rolling Action Plans, as well as the Safer Bruce 2030 Action Plan, on this nationally significant link to:

• unlock economic growth
• build flood resilience and
• improve safety.

The Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council is supported by a Technical Working Group established within the department comprising technical and subject-matter experts.

Highlights at the 9-year mark

As at 30 June 2022, approximately 54 per cent of the 15-year, $13 billion program has been delivered and is consistent with delivery targets. The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is on track with the delivery to date of: 

• 99 new bridges
• 55 new and upgraded rest areas
• 372km roadside safety barriers
• 71 township entry treatments
• 213km wide centre line treatments
• 334km audio-tactile line marking
• 85km pavement rehabilitation
• 88 overtaking lanes
• 165 protected right-hand turns.

The program continues to deliver major duplication and upgrade projects, while supporting regional economic growth and boosting employment opportunities in Queensland.

About the Bruce Highway

The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s major north-south freight and commuter corridor, connecting coastal population centres from Brisbane to Cairns over a length of 1,673km. It is also a vital part of the National Land Transport Network providing linkages for west-east freight networks connecting a significant resource sector, and inland agriculture production areas to 11 coastal ports, and is a major tourism route.

About the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

The program started on 1 July 2013, with a rolling program of upgrade projects up and down the highway, to be completed by June 2028.
The 15-year program focuses delivery on the following three priority areas:

• Safety improvements to enhance the safety of the highway through the provision of wide centre line treatments, intersection improvements, and safety barriers to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes so that it is safe for all road users.
• Flood improvements to enhance the efficiency of the highway by raising bridges and approaches and improving flood immunity on sections of highway subject to frequent flooding. Whilst it may not be feasible at this time to provide an entirely flood-free route, roads are assessed to ensure a consistent standard is provided for that specific network link.
• Capacity improvements to enhance economic opportunity through improved level of service on the highway. This will be achieved by the provision of capacity improvement projects such as additional lanes, managed motorways, grade separation (that is, separation of different flows of traffic using physical means) and intersection upgrades.

Plan ahead in case of delays.

Due to this work being underway, there may be delays that impact your travel. Please visit QLDTraffic for up-to-date details to help you plan your journey.