In his first official media release for the year, the Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese, says the government will provide an additional $7.2 billion to upgrade and fix the Bruce Highway in Queensland, to bring it up to a minimum three-star safety rating.
The releases says that ‘Queenslanders deserve a long term plan for essential infrastructure, and the Albanese Government is delivering that certainty as we build Australia’s future’.
Total outlay $17 billion
This funding is the single largest investment ever into the Bruce Highway, and brings the Australian Government’s total outlay for the 1,673 km road to more than $17 billion.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads has estimated $9 billion will achieve a minimum of three out of five-star safety rating for the entirety of the Bruce and fill in all the potholes.
‘In recognition of the Bruce Highway’s national importance, unique challenges and dire safety record, we are committing to funding 80 per cent of that $9 billion,’ said Mr Albanese in the release.
Key stakeholders, including RACQ, Queensland Farmers Federation (QFF), Queensland Trucking Association (QTA), and Queensland Tourism Industry Council along with everyday Queenslanders have called for more investment and a long-term plan to fix the Bruce.
The Bruce Highway has an average Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) crash rate three to five times higher than any major highway in New South Wales and Victoria.
Major north-south corridor connecting Brisbane to Cairns
As the major north-south corridor which connects Brisbane to the regional centres of Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville and Cairns, the Bruce is critical to the movement of passengers, freight and tourists across the state – supporting around 62 per cent of the population in Queensland.
The new safety package will fast-track critical projects along the whole corridor, and will initially focus on priority sections north of Gympie that have been identified by stakeholders due to their higher than average crash rates.
Priority sections include Maryborough to Benaraby, Rockhampton to St Lawrence, Bowen to Townsville and Ingham to Innisfail.
Projects within the package may include installing safety barriers, wide centre lines and audio tactile line marking; constructing wider shoulders; increasing run off areas, overtaking lanes and rest areas; and improving intersections, signage, and sight lines.
There will also be a focus on resealing and rehabilitating road surfaces for resilience to ‘Build Back Better’, thereby mitigating damage from increasing weather events.
Prioritisation of projects
The identification and prioritisation of projects funded under the package will be informed in consultation with the Queensland Government and the Bruce Highway Advisory Council, with works commencing in 2025.
Mr Albanese said he has driven the Bruce Highway many times. ‘I know the critical role it plays for Queenslanders, tourists and freight.
‘Today’s announcement takes the total investment in the Bruce Highway to more than $17 billion.
‘Queensland deserves a long-term plan.’
Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said almost half the Bruce has a 2 star safety rating. ‘That’s not good enough.
‘This historic investment answers the call of Queenslanders to bring the Bruce up to a 3 star safety rating so Australians stop losing their loved ones on this road.
‘We are providing a significant and long-term commitment to fixing the Bruce, and I call on the Queensland Government to partner with us to get this done.’
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