Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

The Queensland Government is committed to improving the 1,671.3km Bruce Highway from Pine River to Cairns, focusing on capacity, safety, and flood resilience.

One of the key priorities of the Queensland Government is to deliver a long-term upgrade plan for the Bruce Highway.

Since July 2013, $10,107 billion in works has been delivered along the Highway, with 8 projects currently under construction, 15 in development and 13 in planning.

Key outcomes to date include:

  • 175 new bridges/overpasses
  • 66 new and upgraded rest areas/stopping places established
  • 653km of roadside safety barriers
  • 72 township entry treatments
  • 255km of wide centre line treatments
  • 100 new overtaking lanes
  • 211 protected right-hand turns
  • 99.6km of highway duplication
  • 9 flood immunity upgrade projects completed.

About the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program

The Bruce Highway Upgrade focuses on the 3 priority areas during its 15-year course:

  • Safety improvements 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. It is advised to plan ahead and check for up-to-date details on QLDTraffic ( https://qldtraffic.qld.gov.au/ ) to help you plan your journey.

List of projects as at 30 April 2026

District / Region

Investment name

Status

Far North

Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), Munro Street (Babinda), upgrade intersection

Construction

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Rockhampton Ring Road, construction

Construction

Far North

Cairns Southern Access Cycleway, construct cycleway

Construction

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Gin Gin - Benaraby), Station Creek and Boyne River, upgrade bridges

Construction

North Coast

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Dohles Rocks Road to Anzac Avenue upgrade (Stage 1)

Construction

Northern

Bruce Highway (Bowen - Ayr), Burdekin River Bridge, rehabilitation program

Construction

Far North

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Dallachy Road, install floodway

Construction

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Pine Mountain Creek to Kooltandra Road intersection, formation widening for wide centre line treatment

Construction

Wide Bay/Burnett

Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Tiaro Bypass, construct four lane bypass

Development

Northern

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Ingham-Halifax-Bemerside Road - Cardwell Range, Bruce Highway Safety Package Tranche 2a (W111, W112 & B55)

Development

Northern

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail) and Lannercost Street, upgrade intersection

Development

Metropolitan

Linkfield Connection Road, Linkfield Road overpass upgrade

Development

Wide Bay/Burnett

Bruce Highway (Maryborough - Gin Gin), Buxton Road and BP service station intersection upgrade

Development

North Coast

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road

Development

Wide Bay/Burnett

Bruce Highway (Gympie - Maryborough), Curra to Gunalda, various locations, improve safety

Development

Northern

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Gairloch Floodway, safety improvements

Development

Mackay/Whitsunday

Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), O'Connell River to Proserpine, upgrade flood immunity (Goorganga Floodplain)

Development

Mackay/Whitsunday

Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Goorganga, construct overtaking lanes

Development

Metropolitan

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Gateway Motorway to Dohles Rocks Road upgrade (Stage 2)

Development

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby ‐ Rockhampton), Various sections, Pavement reconstruction of high priority sections

Development

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby ‐ Rockhampton), Gladstone ‐ Mt Larcom Road, intersection upgrade

Development

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby ‐ Rockhampton), Gladstone ‐ Mt Larcom Road to Dart Creek Road, Overtaking lanes

Development

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby ‐ Rockhampton), South of Marmor, overtaking lanes

Development

Northern

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Ingham to Cardwell Range Deviation, plan and preserve corridor

Planning

Northern

Bruce Highway (Ayr - Townsville), Burdekin Deviation, plan and preserve corridor

Planning

Far North

Bruce Highway (Innisfail-Cairns), Innisfail Bypass preserve corridor

Planning

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Rockhampton - St Lawrence), Bolsover Street, Intersection upgrade

Planning

Mackay/Whitsunday

Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1)

Planning

Far North

Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road, upgrade intersection

Planning

Statewide

Bruce Highway Capacity Upgrade Strategy

Planning

North Coast

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Buchanan Road to Caboolture - Bribie Island Road upgrade, business case

Planning

North Coast

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road upgrade, business case

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

Wide Bay/Burnett

Bruce Highway (Maryborough – Gin Gin), Walker Street intersection improvement, planning & preconstruction

Planning

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby - Rockhampton), Gavial - Gracemere Road to Burnett Highway, capacity upgrades

Planning

Fitzroy

Bruce Highway (Benaraby ‐ Rockhampton), Bajool, pavement reconstruction

Planning

46 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.

  • Northern District
  • Construction
Burdekin River Bridge

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road upgrade, business case

An upgrade is planned for the Bruce Highway from Anzac Avenue, North Lakes to Uhlmann Road, Burpengary.

  • North Coast District
  • Planning
Aerial view of Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Buchanan Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road upgrade, business case

An upgrade is planned for the Bruce Highway from Buchanan Road, Morayfield to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road, Caboolture.

  • North Coast District
  • Planning
Aerial view of Buchannan Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road

Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road upgrade, business case

An upgrade is planned for the Bruce Highway from Uhlmann Road, Burpengary to Buchanan Road, Morayfield.

  • North Coast District
  • Planning
Aerial view of Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road

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.

  • North Coast District
  • Construction
Artist’s impression of the extended north-facing ramps at Dohles Rocks Road interchange on the Bruce Highway, looking north.

Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Tiaro Bypass, construct bypass

The Queensland Government is improving flood immunity, safety, and efficiency of the Bruce Highway and future-proofing the road to cater for growing traffic volumes. The Tiaro Bypass will also remove a significant number of heavy vehicles from Tiaro township, improving safety and liveability for residents.

  • Wide Bay Burnett District
  • Detailed design
No image supplied

Bruce Highway (Ingham - Innisfail), Dallachy Road, install floodway

The Queensland Government has upgraded the Bruce Highway at Dallachy Road near Tully, improving flood resilience on this section of the highway.

  • Far North District
  • Completed
No image supplied

Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Gairloch Floodway, improve safety

The Queensland Government is delivering an upgrade of the Bruce Highway at Gairloch Floodway to enhance safety and flood resilience along this complex and flood-prone section of the highway. Key improvements include road realignment, wide centre line treatment, and removal of a sharp curve to improve traffic flow and reduce flood-related disruptions.

  • Northern District
  • Procurement
Gairloch floodway on the Bruce Highway north of Ingham

Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), Innisfail Bypass, plan and preserve corridor

The Queensland Government is progressing a $9 million planning and corridor preservation project for a potential bypass around Innisfail.

  • Far North District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Goorganga overtaking lanes

Planning is underway for around 2km of overtaking opportunities and upgrades to pavement and lighting at the Gunyarra Road intersection.

  • Mackay Whitsunday District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Bruce Highway (Pine River - Cairns), Road Operations Improvements

This project has been completed and provides Intelligent Transport System infrastructure at various locations along the Bruce Highway between Pine River and Cairns.

  • Far North District
  • Fitzroy District
  • Mackay Whitsunday District
  • North Coast District
  • Northern District
  • Wide Bay Burnett District
No image supplied

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 have been completed at Twelve Mile Creek bridge and John Murphy Bridge.

  • Fitzroy District
  • Completed
No image supplied

Bruce Highway (Rockhampton–St Lawrence) and Bolsover Street, upgrade intersection

Planning for the Bruce Highway and Bolsover Street intersection upgrade in Rockhampton will investigate safety and capacity improvements between the Neville Hewitt Bridge and Cambridge Street.

  • Fitzroy District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Bunya Highway (Dalby – Kingaroy) and Patrick Street, upgrade intersection

The Queensland Government is implementing cost-effective safety measures to minimise the risk of vehicle and pedestrian incidents, as well as rear-end collisions caused by vehicles turning right across oncoming traffic at this intersection.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Cunningham Highway (Ipswich – Warwick), Tregony to Maryvale, improve safety

This project is delivering safety improvements to provide a better driving experience for all road users and aims to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Cunningham Highway (Warwick – Inglewood), improve safety

The project involved upgrading infrastructure to improve safety, provide a better driving experience for all road users and reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Completed
No image supplied

D'Aguilar Highway network safety planning

The Queensland Government is investigating ways to improve safety for motorists on the D’Aguilar Highway in the Toowoomba Region.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Esk-Hampton Road, Perseverance Creek, replace culvert

This project involves replacing a failing culvert on Esk-Hampton Road at Perseverance Creek.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Gatton-Helidon Road (Spencer Street) and William Street intersection, improve safety

The Queensland Government is undertaking an upgrade of the Spencer Street and William Street intersection in Gatton to improve traffic movement, safety and rideability for road users, pedestrians and bike riders.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Gatton–Clifton Road maintenance, Mount Whitestone

A large slow-moving landslide is affecting a section of Gatton–Clifton Road at Mount Whitestone.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Gatton–Clifton Road planning, Mount Whitestone

This planning project aims to develop long-term strategies to manage the impacts of a slow-moving landslide at Mount Whitestone.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
Gatton–Clifton Road Realignment Planning, Mount Whitestone location

Gatton–Esk Road, flood resilience, planning

Planning is underway to improve flood immunity of Gatton–Esk Road at Lockyer Creek.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Gatton–Helidon Road, improve safety

Traffic flow and safety has been improved on Gatton–Helidon Road.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Completed
No image supplied

Gore Highway (Millmerran – Goondiwindi), improve safety

The Queensland Government is installing safety treatments to reduce the frequency of vehicle incidents due to driver fatigue.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Gore Highway (Toowoomba – Millmerran) and Toowoomba–Athol Road, improve safety

This project involves safety upgrades to the Gore Highway (Toowoomba – Millmerran) and Toowoomba–Athol Road.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Linkfield Road Overpass upgrade

The Queensland Government is committed to improving road safety, reducing congestion, and supporting the growing needs of the Bald Hills community.

  • Metropolitan District
  • Pre-construction
No image supplied

Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1)

The proposed 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 Whitsunday District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Mackay Ring Road

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

  • Mackay Whitsunday District
  • Completed
Pioneer River crossing

New England Highway (Toowoomba - Warwick), improve safety

The Queensland Government is improving safety on the New England Highway to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes for all road users.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

New England Highway (Yarraman - Toowoomba) Network Safety Planning

The Queensland Government is investigating future road infrastructure requirements to provide a better driving experience for all road users and to reduce the risk of fatal and serious injury crashes.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

New England Highway (Yarraman - Toowoomba), Back Creek Bridge, upgrade bridge and approaches, design

The Queensland Government is committed to improving safety and efficiency on the New England Highway at Cooyar.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Detailed design
No image supplied

New England Highway (Yarraman – Toowoomba), Chalk Drive, Neil Street and Ruthven Street intersections, improve active transport facilities

Design is underway to improve safety for people walking and bike riding when crossing at the Chalk Drive, Ruthven and Victoria streets intersection and the Chalk Drive and Neil Street intersection.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

New England Highway Bikeway, Highfields to Toowoomba CBD (Stages 1, 2 and 3)

The New England Highway Bikeway aims to provide a safe and accessible route for walking and cycling between Highfields and Toowoomba.

  • Darling Downs District
Bikeway between Mitchell Road and Toowoomba Christian College.

Next Generation Traffic Signalling Program

The Next Generation Traffic Signalling Program is an initiative aimed at transforming traffic signal infrastructure across Queensland.

  • Central West District
  • Darling Downs District
  • Far North District
  • Fitzroy District
  • Mackay Whitsunday District
  • Metropolitan District
  • North Coast District
  • North West Direct
  • Northern District
  • South Coast District
  • South West District
  • Wide Bay Burnett District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Rockhampton Ring Road

The Rockhampton Ring Road is a transformative project for the Bruce Highway, designed to support future economic growth and deliver key benefits such as improved flood resilience, freight efficiencies, reduced travel times and enhanced road safety.

  • Fitzroy District
  • Construction
Rockhampton - Yeppon Intersection artist impression which is 4 roads with a traffic light intersection

Southern Queensland 2022 flood reconstruction works completed

Repairs have been completed across southern Queensland after extensive and severe damage to the state-controlled road network was caused by multiple heavy rainfall and flooding events in 2022.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Metropolitan District
  • North Coast District
  • South Coast District
  • Wide Bay Burnett District
  • Completed
Landslip on Gold Coast - Springbrook Road

Toowoomba - Cecil Plains Road (Taylor Street), Tor Street to Boundary Street, design separated cycle track

A separated cycle track is being designed along Taylor Street, between Tor and Boundary streets, as part of the Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road (Taylor Street) bikeway project.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Detailed design
No image supplied

Toowoomba Central Active Transport Link, business case

The Queensland Government has completed the business case for the Toowoomba Central Active Transport Link project.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Completed
No image supplied

Toowoomba City Cycle Paths, Karrool Street and Goode Street, construct active transport facilities

The Queensland Government has successfully completed the Toowoomba City Cycle Paths project. This project, delivered under the Active Transport Investment Program, has transformed Karrool Street and Goode Street into safer, more accessible, and connected transport routes for pedestrians and cyclists.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail

The Australian and Queensland governments have worked together to deliver the Toowoomba to Brisbane Passenger Rail Strategic Business Case.

  • Metropolitan District
  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension Strategic Business Case

The Australian and Queensland governments worked together to deliver the Toowoomba to Gladstone Inland Rail Extension Strategic Business Case.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Fitzroy District
  • Completed
Thumbnail image showing map of project area for proposed extension for Inland Rail from Toowoomba to Gladstone

Toowoomba–Athol Road between Toowoomba–Karara Road and Boundary Street South, upgrade planning

The Queensland Government has commenced planning to investigate ways to upgrade Toowoomba–Athol Road (locally known as Anzac Avenue) between and including the Toowoomba–Karara Road (locally known as Wyreema Road) and Boundary Street South intersections.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning

Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road and Deuble/Heinemann Road intersection, planning

The Queensland Government is upgrading the intersection of Toowoomba–Cecil Plains, Deuble, and Heinemann roads to meet future transport needs.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Planning
No image supplied

Toowoomba–Cecil Plains Road, improve safety

Toowoomba-Cecil Plains Road is a critical transport route for the Darling Downs region, connecting agricultural communities to markets and essential services.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Warrego Highway (Toowoomba - Dalby) undertake safety improvements

The Queensland Government is improving safety along 60km of the Warrego Highway between Toowoomba and Dalby. This includes widening the road, flattening batter/roadside edges, adding new signage and line markings, removing roadside hazards, and installing turning lanes at Speed Road, Oakey.

  • Darling Downs District
  • Construction
No image supplied

Warrego Highway East master plan – Ipswich to Toowoomba

The Warrego Highway East master plan project will determine the future requirements of the Warrego Highway transport corridor.

  • Darling Downs District
No image supplied

Last updated: 20 May 2026