Works begin on Innisfail intersection improvements on the Bruce Highway

Published Thursday, 06 September, 2018 at 11:30 AM

Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey

A safer drive for motorists travelling through Innisfail along Queensland’s Bruce Highway will soon be a reality, with works beginning on the upgrades of several key intersections at Ash and Pine streets.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the Australian Government’s commitment to the upgrades was about improving safety and efficiency for all road users.

The upgrades are just one part of the $10 billion Australian Government investment to the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.

“Around Australia we are investing in roads to ensure people can get home sooner and safer, and boost productivity. The Bruce Highway is a key regional link for our freight industry and these works will help build a safer highway with greater capacity and reliability for motorists,” Mr McCormack said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said a $6.1 million contract to upgrade the intersections had recently been awarded to contractor Koppens Development Pty Ltd, a local Far North company that had worked with the Department of Transport and Main Roads across remote communities throughout the region.

“These works are expected to support an average of 15 jobs over the life of the project and provide a boost to the local economy,” Mr Bailey said.

Senator for Queensland Ian Macdonald said the section of road had more than 1,000 heavy vehicles use it every day.

“Innisfail sees over 12,700 vehicles, including over 1000 heavy vehicles, travelling along this busy road each day. Today’s announcement brings us one step closer to ensuring that everyone can reach their destinations sooner and safer,” Senator Macdonald said.

“The Federal Government’s commitment to improving infrastructure and quality-of-life for Northern Australians is clearly on display today.”

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones welcomed the upgrade, and said the Bruce Highway through Innisfail was a key route for travellers wanting to access Queensland’s World Heritage Wet Tropics Rainforests and Great Barrier Reef.

“We want to make it as easy as possible for tourists to experience the best parts of Queensland – it’s projects like this that make that happen,” she said.

“Connectivity in the far north is vital when it comes to growing Queensland’s tourism sectors so it’s great that we have a world-class road network to help visitors and locals explore this region.”

Works are expected to completed by late 2018, weather permitting.

The Australian Government is committing $4.9 million to the project with the Queensland Government committing the remaining $1.2 million.

For further information about projects occurring along the Bruce Highway, please visit https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Featured-projects/About-the-Bruce-Highway-Upgrade-Program/Bruce-Highway-projects-and-packages

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Media contact for Minister Bailey: 0447355565