Mackay Ring Road
An improved link has been delivered from the south to the northern suburbs reducing traffic through Mackay.
Construction
Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in Queensland, aimed at enhancing safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns. It was initiated on 1 July 2013, with a 10-year commitment valued at $8.5 billion, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Over the years, the program received additional funding commitments. 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 State's annual Bruce Highway funding commitment will increase to $250 million per annum from 2027–28 onwards, on top of the additional $1.8 billion the Queensland Government has already provided.
In 2022, a jointly funded boost of $883 million was introduced specifically to target upgrades to various sections of the Bruce Highway, including areas between Gladstone and Rockhampton, between Mackay and Proserpine, north of Townsville, and the Tiaro Bypass.
The Queensland Government has committed to providing a long-term upgrade plan for the Bruce Highway. This includes the re-establishment of the Bruce Highway Advisory Council.
The Council will advise the Queensland Government on the current challenges and opportunities, as well as investment priorities for key upgrades along the Bruce Highway.
Program highlights as at 30 September 2024
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is on track with the delivery of:
- 130 new bridges
- 66 new and upgraded rest areas
- 582km roadside safety barriers
- 72 township entry treatments
- 255km wide centre line treatments
- 100 new overtaking lanes
- 211 protected right-hand turns
- 73km of highway duplication
- 8 flood immunity upgrade projects completed.
About the Bruce Highway
The Bruce Highway is a crucial transportation route in Queensland, serving as the major north-south freight and commuter corridor, connecting various coastal population centres from Brisbane to Cairns over a total length of 1,673km. It plays a vital role in the National Land Transport Network linking west-east freight networks, connecting resource sectors, inland agriculture production areas, and coastal ports, while also serving as a major tourism route.
About the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
The Bruce Highway Upgrade focuses on the 3 priority areas during its 15-year course:
- Safety improvements these measures aim to enhance the safety of the highway by implementing wide centre line treatments, intersection improvements, and safety barriers to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes for all road users.
- Flood improvements by raising bridges and approaches and enhancing flood immunity on sections of the highway that are 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 is achieved through capacity improvement projects, including additional lanes, managed motorways, grade separation (separation of different flows of using physical means), and intersection upgrades.
Plan ahead in case of delays
As with any major construction program, there might be delays that could affect travel. Therefore, it is advised to plan ahead and check for up-to-date details on QLDTraffic to help you plan your journey.
List of projects
|
District / Region |
Investment name |
Status |
|
Fitzroy |
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Station Creek and Boyne River, upgrade bridges |
Construction |
|
Far North |
Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, construct cycleway |
Construction |
|
Statewide |
Bruce Highway (Pine River - Cairns), Road Operations Improvement |
Construction |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Benaraby), upgrade rest areas |
Construction |
|
Fitzroy |
Bruce Highway (Benaraby - Rockhampton), Raglan Creek, upgrade bridge |
Design |
|
Mackay/ Whitsunday |
Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Goorganga overtaking lanes |
Design |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail) and Lannercost Street, upgrade intersection |
Design |
|
Far North |
Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Dallachy Road, install floodway |
Design |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway (Ayr - Townsville), Emmett Creek to Killymoon Creek, widen pavement |
Design |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Ingham-Halifax-Bemerside Road - Cardwell Range, Bruce Highway Safety Package Tranche 2a |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Wide Bay Highway to Curra, various locations, improve safety |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Owanyilla - Tinana, upgrade intersection and improve safety |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Central Road to Mary River, 82.7 - 85.2km, improve safety |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Power Plant Road to Duckpond Road, upgrade intersections and improve safety |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), north of Monduran Road, improve drainage |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), 4 Mile, 5 Mile and 6 Mile Roads, upgrade intersections |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), north of Damascus Road to Takilberan Creek, 5.8 - 36.2km, improve safety |
Design |
|
Metro |
Linkfield Connection Road, Linkfield Road overpass upgrade |
Design |
|
Fitzroy |
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Pine Mountain Creek to Deep Creek, formation widening for wide centre line treatment |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Maryborough - Gin Gin), Buxton Road and BP service station intersection upgrade |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Curra to Gunalda, various locations, improve safety |
Design |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby) E Claxton Road and Rickards Road, improve intersection |
Design |
|
Fitzroy |
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence) and Bolsover Street, upgrade intersection |
Planning |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Adams Road to Harvey Siding Road, upgrade intersections planning |
Planning |
|
Mackay/ Whitsunday |
Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine) O'Connell River to Proserpine (Goorganga Floodplain), upgrade flood immunity |
Planning |
|
Mackay/ Whitsunday |
Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Goorganga Plains, plan and preserve |
Planning |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway, Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, plan and preserve corridor |
Planning |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway, Burdekin Deviation, plan and preserve corridor |
Planning |
|
Statewide |
Bruce Highway Capacity Upgrade Strategy |
Planning |
|
Northern |
Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, plan and preserve corridor |
Planning |
|
Wide Bay |
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Maryborough), Woondum to Curra, planning strategy for intersection needs |
Planning |
|
North Coast |
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Redcliffe Road (Anzac Avenue) to Uhlmann Road upgrade, business case |
Planning |
|
North Coast |
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Redcliffe Road (Anzac Avenue) to Uhlmann Road, construct additional lanes |
Planning |
|
Fitzroy |
Bruce Highway (Benaraby - Rockhampton), Gladstone to Rockhampton upgrades, Ginger Beer Creek, culvert and safety improvements |
Planning |
|
Central |
Bruce Highway, planning and preconstruction towards priority upgrades between Gladstone and Rockhampton and Mackay and Proserpine |
Planning |
17 Projects in Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
Burdekin River Bridge, rehabilitation program
The department is undertaking the rehabilitation and maintenance program for the Burdekin River Bridge to preserve the structural integrity of the bridge. The ongoing program will ensure a safe and durable crossing is maintained for the long-term use of vehicles, heavy transport operators, rail operations, bicycle riders and pedestrians.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from Anzac Avenue, North Lakes to Uhlmann Road, Burpengary.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Buchanan Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from Buchanan Road, Morayfield to Caboolture-Bribie Island, Caboolture.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from the Uhlmann Road, Burpengary to Buchanan Road, Morayfield.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane-Gympie), Dohles Rocks Road to Anzac Avenue upgrade (Stage 1)
The department is delivering staged upgrades to manage increasing traffic demands on this section of the Bruce Highway. Stage 1 includes extended north-facing ramps from Dohles Rocks Road to Anzac Avenue.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Tiaro Bypass, construct four lane bypass
Planning is complete and the detailed design stage has commenced for a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway to the east of Tiaro. The project will increase the flood immunity, safety and efficiency of the Bruce Highway and future-proof the road to cater for growing traffic volumes. It will also remove a significant number of heavy vehicles from the Tiaro township, improving safety and liveability for residents.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Gairloch Floodway, improve safety
Detailed design is underway to improve safety and reduce flood-related closures on a complex section of the Bruce Highway at the Gairloch floodway, located about 6km north of Ingham.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), Innisfail Bypass, plan and preserve corridor
The department is progressing a $9 million planning and corridor preservation project for a potential bypass around Innisfail.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns) and Munro street (Babinda) intersection upgrade
The department is progressing a project to upgrade the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Munro Street at Babinda.
Bruce Highway (Pine River - Cairns), Road Operations Improvements
This project will provide Intelligent Transport System infrastructure at various locations along the Bruce Highway between Pine River and Cairns.
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton-St Lawrence), various locations, upgrade bridges
The Bruce Highway is a critical link for Queensland, connecting coastal and regional communities from Cairns to Brisbane. Safety upgrades are currently underway at various locations, including Twelve Mile Creek bridge and John Murphy Bridge.
Bruce Highway Upgrade—Deception Bay Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road
A planning study has been undertaken to investigate future upgrade requirements on the Bruce Highway between Deception Bay Road and Caboolture-Bribie Island Road.
Bruce Highway, Dallachy Road, flood immunity upgrade
The department is progressing an $18 million project to upgrade the Bruce Highway at Dallachy Road, near Tully, to improve flood immunity on this section of the highway.
Linkfield Road Overpass upgrade
The department has been investigating options to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and freight access for the Linkfield Road Overpass in Bald Hills.
Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1)
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.
Mackay Ring Road
An improved link has been delivered from the south to the northern suburbs reducing traffic through Mackay.
Rockhampton Ring Road
The Rockhampton Ring Road is a long-term, visionary project for the Bruce Highway. It will unlock future economic growth and deliver significant benefits including improved flood resilience, freight efficiencies and road safety, and reduced travel times.
