Mackay Ring Road
An improved link has been delivered from the south to the northern suburbs reducing traffic through Mackay.
Construction
Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is the largest road infrastructure program in Queensland, aimed at enhancing safety, flood resilience, and capacity along the Bruce Highway between Brisbane and Cairns. It was initiated on 1 July 2013, with a 10-year commitment valued at $8.5 billion, jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments.
Over the years, the program received additional funding commitments. In May 2018, the Australian Government committed an additional $3.3 billion (based on 80:20 funding arrangements) to its existing $6.7 billion commitment. The State's annual Bruce Highway funding commitment will increase to $250 million per annum from 2027–28 onwards, on top of the additional $1.8 billion the Queensland Government has already provided.
In 2022, a jointly funded boost of $883 million was introduced specifically to target upgrades to various sections of the Bruce Highway, including areas between Gladstone and Rockhampton, between Mackay and Proserpine, north of Townsville, and the Tiaro Bypass.
To ensure proper management and oversight, the Queensland Government established the Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council. This council was responsible for developing a 15-year Vision and three 5-year rolling Action Plans, along with the Safer Bruce 2030 Action Plan, on this nationally significant link to:
- unlock economic growth
- boost employment
- build flood resilience and
- improve safety.
The Bruce Highway Trust Advisory Council was supported by a Technical Working Group established within the department comprising technical and subject-matter experts.
Program highlights as at 31 March 2024
The Bruce Highway Upgrade Program is on track with the delivery of:
- 120 new bridges
- 66 new and upgraded rest areas
- 489km roadside safety barriers
- 72 township entry treatments
- 247km wide centre line treatments
- 100 new overtaking lanes
- 204 protected right-hand turns
- 73km of highway duplication
- 8 flood immunity upgrade projects completed.
About the Bruce Highway
The Bruce Highway is a crucial transportation route in Queensland, serving as the major north-south freight and commuter corridor, connecting various coastal population centres from Brisbane to Cairns over a total length of 1,673km. It plays a vital role in the National Land Transport Network linking west-east freight networks, connecting resource sectors, inland agriculture production areas, and coastal ports, while also serving as a major tourism route.
About the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program
The Bruce Highway Upgrade focuses on the 3 priority areas during its 15-year course:
- Safety improvements these measures aim 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. Therefore, it is advised to plan ahead and check for up-to-date details on QLDTraffic to help you plan your journey.
73 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.
Barwon Highway (Talwood - Nindigully) Weengallon, pavement widening
Pavement widening on the Barwon Highway has been completed to improve road safety, reduce ongoing maintenance demand and provide a better driving experience for road users in the area.
Beaudesert to Beenleigh corridor safety improvements
The department has delivered safety improvements on sections of the Beaudesert to Beenleigh corridor.
Beaudesert – Nerang Road and Yalkuri Drive, upgrade intersection
Beaudesert – Nerang Road, Yalkuri Drive and Willawong Crescent intersection has been upgraded with traffic signals to improve safety and operational functionality. This also includes on-road designated and shared bicycle infrastructure.
Brisbane to Sunshine Coast Rail Corridor Strategy
We are developing a rail corridor vision and a staged program of rail priorities to 2051 on the North Coast Line between Brisbane and Gympie North.
Bruce Highway (Bowen-Ayr), Inkerman overtaking lane and safety improvement projects
Safety on the Bruce Highway at Inkerman will be improved through the installation of new northbound overtaking opportunity and upgrades to the Mount Inkerman Road intersection.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from Anzac Avenue, North Lakes to Uhlmann Road, Burpengary.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Buchanan Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from Buchanan Road, Morayfield to Caboolture-Bribie Island, Caboolture.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Caboolture - Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way upgrade
Major construction was completed for the Bruce Highway Upgrade — Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way project in April 2024. This project widened the 11km stretch of the Bruce Highway from 4 to 6 lanes between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163). This also included upgrading creek crossings to improve flood immunity at Lagoon, King Johns, Six Mile, Un-named and Beerburrum Creeks.
Bruce Highway (Brisbane - Gympie), Uhlmann Road to Buchanan Road upgrade, business case
The department is planning to upgrade the Bruce Highway from the Uhlmann Road, Burpengary to Buchanan Road, Morayfield.
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.
Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Section D
The $1.162 billion Section D: Woondum to Curra project is a new 26km, 4-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, south of Gympie and Curra.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Tiaro Bypass, construct four lane bypass
Planning is complete and the detailed design stage has commenced for a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway to the east of Tiaro. The project will increase the flood immunity, safety and efficiency of the Bruce Highway and future-proof the road to cater for growing traffic volumes. It will also remove a significant number of heavy vehicles from the Tiaro township, improving safety and liveability for residents.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Gairloch Floodway, improve safety
Planning has started to improve safety and reduce the time of closure due to flooding on a complex section of the Bruce Highway at the Gairloch floodway, approximately 6km north of Ingham.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Smiths Gap, construct southbound overtaking lane and fauna overpass
The department has built a southbound overtaking lane and fauna crossing at Smiths Gap on the Bruce Highway.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail - Cairns), Innisfail Bypass, plan and preserve corridor
The department is progressing a $9 million planning project to plan and protect a suitable road corridor for a future bypass of Innisfail, if required.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns) and Munro street (Babinda) intersection upgrade
The department is progressing a project to upgrade the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Munro Street at Babinda.
Bruce Highway (Mackay - Proserpine), Jumper Creek, upgrade flood immunity
Upgrades to improve flood immunity at Jumper Creek, between Mackay and Proserpine are now complete.
Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Goorganga Plains, plan and preserve
The Bruce Highway upgrade project at Goorganga Plains and Myrtle Creek, near Proserpine, aims to plan and preserve the road corridor to enhance flood immunity and address access issues during wet weather events.
Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Knobels Road, upgrade intersection and approaches
Construction has started at the Knobels Road and Nebia Coningsby Road intersection to improve safety and enhance visibility.
Bruce Highway (Pine River - Cairns), Road Operations Improvements
This project will provide Intelligent Transport System infrastructure at various locations along the Bruce Highway between Pine River and Cairns.
Bruce Highway (Proserpine - Bowen), Emu Creek to Drays Road, various locations, widen formation
Safety upgrades have been completed to almost 20km of the Bruce Highway from Proserpine to Bowen, as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
Bruce Highway (Townsville to Ingham) safety improvements and rest area upgrade projects
Bruce Highway works, between Townsville and Ingham, are underway to improve safety and upgrade a rest area.
Bruce Highway (Townsville-Ingham), Leichhardt Creek to Abergowrie Road, widen pavement and improve safety
Bruce Highway upgrades between Leichhardt Creek and Cassowary Creek (about 42km north of Townsville).
Bruce Highway Planning Project—Pine River to Caloundra Road
The department has delivered a planning project to investigate and prioritise upgrades to the Bruce Highway between the Pine River and Caloundra Road.
Bruce Highway Upgrade—Deception Bay Road to Caboolture-Bribie Island Road
A planning study has been undertaken to investigate future upgrade requirements on the Bruce Highway between Deception Bay Road and Caboolture-Bribie Island Road.
Bruce Highway Upgrade—Sunshine Motorway to Maroochydore Road
We have completed early planning to determine future upgrade needs for the Bruce Highway between the Sunshine Motorway and Maroochydore Road. The planning identifies a long-term solution to meet future traffic growth, reduce traffic congestion, and improve safety and flood immunity.
Bruce Highway – Pine River to Caloundra Road Smart Motorways (Stage 2)
The Bruce Highway - Pine River to Caloundra Road Smart Motorways (Stage 2) project will deliver additional Smart Motorways technology along a 60km section of the Bruce Highway between the Pine River and Caloundra Road.
Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 3), Edmonton to Gordonvale
A total transport solution has been delivered to provide long-term improvements to traffic flow and road safety through reducing congestion, highway travel time and improving road access.
Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road upgrade intersection
Planning for the Bruce Highway, Cairns Southern Access Corridor (Stage 5), Foster Road upgrade intersection project will assess and recommend options to upgrade this intersection.
Bruce Highway—Cooroy to Curra
This project involves a 62km realignment and upgrade of the Bruce Highway to 4 lanes between Cooroy and Curra and is among Queensland's highest priority road projects.
Bulimba Peninsula Transport and Congestion Study
The Bulimba Peninsula Transport and Congestion Study identified community priorities to improve transport options and outcomes for the Bulimba Peninsula.
Bundaberg Port Rail Link Study
In October 2007 Transport and Main Roads (then Queensland Transport) engaged GHD to undertake a study to identify a rail corridor (for freight traffic) to connect the Port of Bundaberg to the existing rail network via the North Coast line. The study report determined that protection of the corridor within the local government planning scheme was not warranted at the time, and the project was closed.
Cairns to Northern Tablelands Access Strategy
The department has completed a comprehensive planning study into the 4 transport corridors linking Cairns to the Northern Tablelands.
Capricorn Highway (Emerald - Alpha), widen pavement
3 high priority sections of the Capricorn Highway between Emerald and Alpha have been widened.
Clontarf - Anzac Avenue (Elizabeth Avenue), construct active transport overpass
A pedestrian overpass over Elizabeth Avenue was installed to provide a safe crossing facility between Clontarf Beach State High School's main campus and Department of Education fields across the road.
Clump Point Mission Beach boating infrastructure project
Works were undertaken to upgrade the public boating facilities at Mission Beach Clump Point.
Coomera train station, upgrade park 'n' ride
We have upgraded the park 'n' ride facilities at the Coomera train station.
Cramsie-Muttaburra Road, rehabilitate and widen pavement
A 3km section of aged, narrow pavement on the Cramsie-Muttaburra Road has been rehabilitated and widened, providing improved overtaking opportunities.
Cunningham Highway (Ipswich - Warwick), Eight Mile intersection upgrade
A major intersection upgrade to improve safety at the Cunningham and New England highways intersection is complete.
Eton Range Realignment Project
Eton Range fully opened to traffic on 1 October 2020. The existing range has been upgraded to 4 lanes, added a split carriageway for part of the range and reduced the grade to improve safety and efficiency.
Eyre Developmental Road (Bedourie - Birdsville), pave and seal
Works have been completed to seal around 35km of the 185km road, improving safety, connectivity and wet weather access.
Flinders Highway (Julia Creek – Cloncurry), Scrubby Creek, pavement, strengthening and widening of floodway
The department has delivered 9km of pavement strengthening and widening of the floodway along the Flinders Highway between Julia Creek and Cloncurry at Scrubby Creek.
Kennedy Developmental Road—(The Lynd-Hughenden) upgrade
The department has delivered 48km of new sealing along the Kennedy Developmental Road between The Lynd to Hughenden.
Kennedy Highway (Cairns - Mareeba), Kuranda Range, Intelligent Transport System
Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) treatments on Kuranda Range Road have been installed. The Intelligent Transport System treatments will make it quicker and easier to manage incidents and reduce the risk of crashes.
Kin Kin Road—Six Mile Creek: replace timber bridge
The Six Mile Creek timber bridge on Kin Kin Road, 3km north of Pomona, has been replaced with a concrete bridge structure.
Linkfield Road Overpass upgrade
The department has been investigating options to reduce traffic congestion and improve safety and freight access for the Linkfield Road Overpass in Bald Hills.
Mackay Port Access, Bruce Highway to Mackay - Slade Point Road (Stage 1)
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 Ring Road
An improved link has been delivered from the south to the northern suburbs reducing traffic through Mackay.
Maroochydore - Mooloolaba Road and Ocean Street, improve intersection
Construction is complete for safer pedestrian crossings in Maroochydore's entertainment precinct.
Murphys Creek Road, Rocky Creek Bridge, replace bridge
Rocky Creek Bridge was replaced to improve safety, traffic flow, flood immunity and efficiency.
New England Highway (Toowoomba - Warwick), high risk roads, improve safety
Construction is complete to improve safety on Ruthven Street in Toowoomba's south.
New England Highway (Toowoomba-Warwick) Hodgson Creek to Cambooya Connection Road – options analysis
This planning project involved investigating ways to improve safety and efficiency on the New England Highway between Hodgson Creek and the southern side of Cambooya Connection Road.
New England Highway (Warwick - Wallangarra), high risk roads, improve safety
The department has delivered pavement widening and resurfacing works to improve safety and freight efficiency on the New England Highway between Stanthorpe and Ballandean.
New England Highway—(Yarraman-Toowoomba), widen pavement
The upgrade of the New England Highway between Cooyar and Bum Bum Creek has been completed, delivering critical safety and efficiency improvements south of Yarraman.
Northgate station park 'n' ride business case
The department has completed planning which investigated expansion of parking facilities at Northgate station in response to high demand for parking in the local area.
Ormeau station park 'n' ride upgrade
We have upgraded the car park at the Ormeau station park 'n' ride.
Pacific Motorway Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade (Sports Drive to Gateway Motorway Upgrade)
The Sports Drive to Gateway Motorway Upgrade is part of a rolling program of upgrades between the Gateway and Logan Motorways.
Pacific Motorway Exit 45 southbound off-ramp, upgrade interchange
Safety improvements to the Ormeau Interchange (Exit 45) southbound off-ramp on the Pacific Motorway has reduced traffic on the M1 and Lahrs Road.
Pacific Motorway M1 Mudgeeraba to Varsity Lakes upgrade
We have delivered an upgrade of the M1 between Mudgeeraba and Varsity Lakes to reduce travel time and congestion, improve safety, and increase traffic flow. Interchange enhancements have improved access on and off the motorway.
Pacific Motorway Upgrade M1 M3 Gateway merge
Construction to upgrade the M1/M3 Gateway merge to improve safety and reduce peak hour congestion was completed in May 2020.
Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade (Pacific Highway early works upgrade)
The Pacific Highway (western service road) in Slacks Creek was realigned and upgraded as part of the Pacific Motorway, Eight Mile Plains to Daisy Hill Upgrade.
Pacific Motorway, Exit 41, upgrade interchange
The Yatala South (Exit 41) interchange upgrade on the Pacific Motorway (M1) has resulted in significant enhancements to safety and traffic flow in the area.
Richmond-Winton Road, pave and seal
Another 3km of the road has been sealed to improve safety and travel times on this key transport link.
Rockhampton Ring Road
The Rockhampton Ring Road is a long-term, visionary project for the Bruce Highway. It will unlock future economic growth and deliver significant benefits including improved flood resilience, freight efficiencies and road safety, and reduced travel times.
Rockhampton — Emu Park Road, upgrades including overtaking lanes and other priority safety and capacity improvements
This project upgraded about 4km of Rockhampton-Emu Park Road to improve safety for all road users.
South Brisbane Transport and Mobility Study
We conducted a multi-modal study of the ongoing and increasing transport pressures relating to road, active transport and public transport modes in Brisbane’s inner south.
Southern Freight Rail Corridor Study
The Southern Freight Rail Corridor has been identified as a future route connecting the Western Rail line near Rosewood to the interstate railway north of Beaudesert. The Southern Freight Rail Corridor will serve as a major freight link connecting a future Melbourne to Brisbane Inland Rail line with the existing south-east Queensland rail freight network.
Strathpine Shopping Centre bus station, upgrade
Construction is complete for the upgrade of the Strathpine Shopping Centre bus station.
Townsville Ring Road (Stage 5)
The Townsville Ring Road Stage 5 project, a landmark initiative that has brought about substantial improvements in road safety, traffic flow and travel time predictability for both freight and passenger vehicles along the Bruce Highway in Townsville, has been completed.
Veloway 1 (V1) Cycleway, O'Keefe Street, construct cycle bridge and approaches
The O’Keefe Street velobridge at Woolloongabba is now open.
Warwick principal cycle network plan, business case
This project is part of a state-wide strategy to help improve bicycle riding facilities and networks in Warwick to increase active transport.