- Safety upgrades at the Bruce Highway and Barton Road intersection at Kolonga are now complete.
- Procurement is progressing for further safety projects at E Claxton Road and Rickards Road.
- Project delivered under the $9bn Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments, helping get Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are getting Wide Bay Burnett residents home sooner and safer, with a series of important milestones now reached on the Bruce Highway.
Safety upgrades at the Bruce Highway and Barton Road intersection at Kolonga, north of Gin Gin, are now complete, making it safer to turn on- and-off the road, and improving visibility for motorists travelling in the region.
The completed project included dedicated left and right-turn lanes and other safety improvements designed to reduce conflict points and improve safety at the busy intersection, getting Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
Upcoming projects are also gaining momentum, with procurement progressing for planned upgrades at the Bruce Highway and E Claxton Road and Rickards Road intersections.
Further works are also progressing at the Bruce Highway and Kalpowar Road intersection as part of the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
To date, 18 projects have been completed and 24 are underway – from tender to design and construction – as part of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program funded between the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.
All projects are being delivered between Gympie and Cairns, with a further 52 tenders expected to be released to market this financial year as the program continues to progress.
Together, the projects form part of the Albanese and Crisafulli Government’s commitment to improving safety, reliability and connectivity on one of Queensland’s most important transport corridors.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the milestones demonstrated the progress being made under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
“These upgrades at Kolonga demonstrate the significant progress being made under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program,” Minister King said.
“Through our partnership with the Queensland Government, we’re delivering targeted upgrades at priority locations along the Bruce Highway to help make journeys safer for motorists.”
“Across the Wide Bay Burnett region, we’re seeing real progress on the ground, from a recently completed rest area, highway safety upgrades and intersection upgrades to projects moving into construction and procurement.”
Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the projects demonstrated the Crisafulli Government’s commitment to delivering practical safety improvements along the Bruce Highway.
“We’re getting on with the job of delivering safer roads for regional Queensland, with another important project complete and several more moving through planning, procurement and construction,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“The Bruce Highway is a critical link for communities, freight operators and businesses throughout Wide Bay Burnett, and these investments will help Queenslanders get home safer and sooner.
“We told Queenslanders we are committed to fixing the Bruce and works are already making a real difference for motorists, regional communities and freight operators between Gympie and Cairns.
“Every intersection upgraded and every safety improvement delivered helps build a safer and more reliable Bruce Highway, helping Queenslanders get home safer and sooner.”
Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said the Albanese Government was delivering a safer, more reliable Bruce Highway.
“Whether you’re a truckie moving freight, or a family heading north for the holidays, these safety upgrades at the Bruce Highway and Barton Road intersection at Kolonga will increase safety for all drivers,” Assistant Minister Chisholm said.
“This joint investment with the Queensland Government at Kolonga will ensure more efficient and safer journeys which in the long run lower transport costs and provide greater support to our regional communities in the Wide Bay Burnett region.”
Member for Callide Bryson Head said the region was seeing tangible benefits from continued investment in the Bruce Highway.
“The completion of the Barton Road upgrade is great news for local motorists and another example of important safety improvements being delivered in our region,” Mr Head said.
“At the same time, it’s encouraging to see additional projects progressing at E Claxton Road, Rickards Road and Kalpowar Road, ensuring more improvements are on the way.
“These projects will make a real difference for the local communities, businesses and freight operators that depend on this corridor every day.”
