Bruce Highway overpass opens at Beerwah

Published Monday, 28 September, 2015 at 03:07 PM

Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports and Minister for Energy and Water Supply
The Honourable Mark Bailey

Motorists will enjoy faster and safer access across the Bruce Highway with today’s official opening of the Bells Creek road overpass at Beerwah.

Deputy Prime Minister and Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced that the new Bruce Highway interchange at Roys Road and Bells Creek Road will be open to traffic Wednesday morning.

“The Roys and Bells Interchange Upgrade project is one of four major interchange upgrades between Caboolture and Caloundra being funded through $196 million in Australian Government funding,” Mr Truss said.

“The Bruce Highway is the key transport route between Brisbane and Cairns and the addition of this new overpass will greatly improve safety for local and highway traffic, accommodate future growth and improve connectivity between local communities.”

Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said the opening of the interchange would dramatically improve access to the Bruce Highway, and provide better access to hinterland communities.

“This interchange upgrade was a Federal Labor Government commitment back in 2007 and we are pleased that an average of 127 jobs have been supported throughout the life of the project,” Mr Bailey said.

“This upgrade means a much shortened travel time for motorists who previously had to travel further north to use the Caloundra Road interchange to access Bells Creek Road.

“The new two lane overpass and interchange replaces the previous at-grade intersections at Roys Road and Bells Creek Road which had right-turn restrictions in place.

“There is also safer on and off-ramps and the upgrade will provide improved local road connections to Roys, Bells Creek and Dianella roads, and accommodate future traffic growth.”

Overall the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Investment Programme has committed a record $13.4 billion to build and improve Queensland’s infrastructure, including $6.7 billion for projects on the Bruce Highway.

ENDS

 

Media Contacts:       Alex Chamberlain – 3719 7316, 0406 544 142

                                Tim Shipstone – 3719 7321, 0419 246 157