Queensland Government begins $689.7m Bruce Highway upgrade works in Australia

TINNews |

TIN news: The Government of Queensland in Australia has initiated the A$929.3m ($689.7m) Bruce Highway Upgrade project between Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway.

The government anticipates that the project will ease traffic congestion and enhance safety for nearly 40,000 motorists who use the route on a daily basis.

The Caloundra to Sunshine Motorway project is jointly funded by the government of Australia, which is providing A$743.4m ($551m), and the Queensland government, which will supply the remaining A$185.9m ($137.9m).

The project works include expanding the highway from four to six lanes, as well as renovating Caloundra Road and Sunshine Motorway.

A two-way western service road will also be built for local traffic between Steve Irwin Way and Tanawha Tourist Drive.

The service road will separate the long-distance Bruce Highway traffic from local traffic movements, allowing the highway to function as a high-speed, high-volume corridor.

"Upgrading the Bruce Highway is a priority project of the Australian Government’s infrastructure roll out, evidenced by the A$844m ($627m) allocated in this year’s budget for new projects."

Australia Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Darren Chester said: “Upgrading the Bruce Highway is a priority project of the Australian Government’s infrastructure roll out, evidenced by the A$844m ($627m) allocated in this year’s budget for new projects.”

The project works will include transforming the Caloundra Road Interchange to a Diverging Diamond Interchange, which is reported to be first of its kind in the country.

The upgrade project is expected to create nearly 700 direct employment opportunities.

Chester further explained that the project was part of the Australian Government’s record A$75bn ($55.6bn) commitment to improve transportation infrastructure across the country.

Queensland Main Roads and Road Safety Minister Mark Bailey said: “My department and I worked hard to minimise the impact of this project, specifically to the Beerwah State Forest, and the design will continue to evolve as construction progresses, which may include further reduction of impacts on the forest.”

Bailey added that the project was important for the development of the coastal region and would not only enhance the safety of the motorists but improve industries along this section of the Bruce Highway.

The officials anticipate that the majority of the works would be completed by late 2020.