Safety first for Bruce Highway north of Townsville

• Safety improvements are almost complete on Bowden, Church and Black River roads – three busy intersections on the Bruce Highway
• The Australian Government has contributed $9.76 million towards early works for the Townsville Northern Access Intersections Upgrade and pavement widening works
• Forty-two jobs were supported during construction of the projects

Works to improve safety at three busy intersections at Black River, on the Bruce Highway north of Townsville are nearing completion.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the service road is now open to upgrade the Bowden, Church and Black River roads, which are part of the Bruce Highway – Townsville Northern Access Intersections Upgrade project.

“The Australian Government has committed up to $7 million towards the $8.75 million early interim works associated with the project,” Mr Chester said.

“The Bruce is undoubtedly one of the most important transport links in the country, yet it is also one of the most dangerous.

“This 1.6-kilometre service road will deliver vital improvements to road safety, particularly for residents of nearby properties accessing the Bruce Highway.

“The layout of the intersections has been redesigned to improve safety, with new protected turning lanes installed to reduce the risk of crashes.” 

Acting Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports Jackie Trad said 5.5 kilometres of the Bruce Highway would also be widened between Veales Road and Pope Road, and include wide centre line treatment as part of pavement widening works.

“The Queensland Government has committed $690,000 and the Australian Government $2.76 million towards this much needed pavement widening project on the Bruce Highway,” Ms Trad said.

“Wide centre-line treatments have been shown to reduce head-on collisions by up to 50 per cent.

“When complete, this pavement widening project will deliver vital improvements to road safety, freight efficiency and productivity as a result of the widening of the road along with the installation of one-metre-wide centre-line treatment.”

The Bruce Highway – Townsville Northern Access Intersections Upgrade project and the Bruce Highway pavement widening works between Veales Road and Pope Road are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments based on an 80:20 funding share.

ENDS

Media contact:

Zoe Russell                                               0428 079 640