Queensland Premier and Member for Murrumba Steven Miles has today turned the sod on a transformative $290 million upgrade on the busy Bruce Highway.
The Australian Government has committed $232 million toward the $290 million project in partnership with the Queensland Government which is part of a $5.6 billion Australian Government investment in the Bruce Highway South corridor.
It comes as locals are given a first-look at designs of the upgrades – set to deliver extended north-facing ramps to help manage increasing traffic demands on the highway and improve local connections.
Stage 1 of the upgrade will provide new northbound entry and southbound exit ramps between the Dohles Rocks Road and Anzac Avenue interchanges along the Bruce Highway
The extended ramps will improve access and help manage increasing highway traffic demands, while easing pressure on the local road network.
The project aims to reduce congestion on the highway and local road network and reduce travel times, while supporting 340 jobs during construction.
The major build is one of many big transport builds in the pipeline for the busy Bruce Highway, as part of Queensland’s record $37.4 billion transport program.
A massive $5.3 billion of this will be spent across the North Coast Region, taking in the Moreton Bay, Sunshine Coast and surrounds.
Major upgrades on the Bruce Highway, including at Dohles Rocks Road, will complement the Australian and Queensland governments’ major investment in Sunshine Coast Direct Rail – the longest ever spur rail line in Queensland’s South East.
The rail project is expected to take thousands of cars off the Bruce Highway every day and drive major housing development through the southern Sunshine Coast region.
RoadTek is carrying out the first phase of works, which will include vegetation clearing, land preparation works, property demolitions, and service relocations for electricity, gas, water and telecommunications.
These activities are needed to prepare the site for main construction, which is planned to start by the end of this year.
This upgrade forms part of integrated planning undertaken for the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway Upgrades (GMHBU) to provide a whole-of-network solution to manage increasing traffic volumes in the north Brisbane and Moreton Bay regions.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:
“The Bruce Highway is one of the nation’s busiest corridors and motorists, truck drivers and holiday makers rely on it every day.
“We’re continuing to invest in and improve the Bruce Highway because we know how important a safe, smooth and reliable road network is for a growing population.
“Works starting on this critical upgrade is an important step towards improving traffic capacity and local connectivity along this section of the Bruce.”
Quotes attributable to Queensland Premier and Member for Murrumba Steven Miles:
“As someone who commutes from Mango Hill via the Bruce Highway most days, I know how critical major upgrades to the Bruce Highway are.
“That’s why I’m doing what matters for my community – delivering major improvements to the busy Bruce.
“This $290 million project will keep locals moving now, as we get on with planning further upgrades between the Gateway Motorway and Bruce Highway.
“As more people move to Queensland, we need a multi-modal solution. That’s why my government is also delivering a direct Sunshine Coast Rail Line.
“Only my government is doing what matters for Queensland, like building a better Bruce Highway.”
Quotes attributable to Senator for Queensland Murray Watt:
“The Bruce Highway isn’t just a major commuter and tourist route; it’s also a crucial freight link between Queensland’s regional production areas and our state’s coastal ports.
“This critical project is a prime example of the Albanese Government delivering for Queensland. It shows our commitment to improving the overall safety of the Bruce Highway, delivering safer and smoother journeys.”
Quotes attributable to Transport and Main Roads Minister Bart Mellish:
“The Australian Government and the Queensland Government have committed $290 million for Stage 1 of the Bruce Highway upgrade at Murrumba Downs and Griffin.
“Upgrading this section of the Bruce Highway will help prepare our transport network for future growth in this region, and will reduce congestion and improve travel times.
“We recognise these works will create some traffic changes in the local area and we are committed to minimising these impacts where possible as the first phase of construction progresses.
“There’s a lot happening across Queensland while we’re in the biggest decade of infrastructure delivery in our history – Queensland’s Big Build.
“This means you may experience some disruption from time to time, which can be frustrating, but what it signals is that your area is improving.
“Our investment in this significant infrastructure upgrade means you will get home safer and sooner, to spend more time with family and friends and enjoy Queensland’s great lifestyle.
“We thank the community and road users for their cooperation and patience while works are underway.”
