Budget Delivers big for Bruce Highway Safety

Crisafulli Government Budget is delivering critical funding for Bruce Highway upgrades, with two projects due to start next week.
$9 billion of works will be delivered for the Bruce Highway as part of a historic deal with the Australian Government, restoring an 80:20 funding deal after the former Government was unable to.
Government to establish a dedicated project team to deliver Bruce Highway works, with 150 frontline workers to get rubber hitting the road.

The Crisafulli Government’s first Budget has delivered big for the Bruce with $412 million for works in 2025/26, kickstarting the historic $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.

The funding forms part of the Crisafulli Government’s broader commitment to deliver upgrades for the spine of Queensland, with construction already underway on five priority projects.

This includes three projects underway at Bauple north of Gympie, a new rest area under construction at Curra, and road strengthening near Hencamp Creek between Townsville and Ingham, which is almost completed. Two projects near Townsville are scheduled to start this coming week.

Wide centre line treatment, including audio-tactile line marking, is the key focus of several of the current projects to address the most common types of fatal crashes on the Bruce Highway - run-off road and head-on crashes.

As part of the Budget, a dedicated Program Management Office has also been established to oversee the Bruce upgrades, and outlines 150 new frontline staff to help deliver the program across regional Queensland.

These teams will include engineers, project managers, and safety specialists to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and to the highest standard.

This year’s Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) includes a record $42 billion for safer roads and better transport across Queensland over the next four years, delivering for 2032 and beyond.

Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the Budget funding would ensure the program hit the ground running.

“Our Budget is delivering upgrades for the Bruce Highway with rubber hitting the road on projects,” Minister Mickelberg said.

“Unlike the former Labor Government, we’re not just talking about fixing the Bruce Highway - we’re doing it.

“Within three months of coming into government we secured an 80:20 funding split with the Federal Labor Government to fund vital upgrades to the Bruce Highway – something the former state Labor Government had given up on.

“Now we have locked-in $412 million for this upcoming financial year, to continue rolling out safety upgrades where they’re needed most - widening lanes, improving intersections, and building new rest areas to save lives.

“This is a Budget that backs Queenslanders, investing in safer roads, stronger communities, and a transport network that supports our growing State – and we’re doing it while having respect for taxpayers’ money.”

ENDS

Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program – Early Start Package – Construction
Project Name	Project Status
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Curra, construct new rest area	Construction underway.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Stratford Road, safety improvements	Construction underway.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Chapmans Road to Stratford Road, safety improvements	Construction underway.
Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Brooks Road, intersection upgrade	Construction underway.
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Barton Road, intersection upgrade	Procurement expected to commence mid-2025.
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), 3 Mile Creek, safety improvements	Procurement expected to commence mid-2025.
Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Granite Creek, upgrade rest area	Procurement expected to commence mid-2025.
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), Little Neerim Creek – Deep Creek, wide centre line treatment	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Bootooloo Road, wide centre line treatment	Construction starting next week.
Bruce Highway (Ayr – Townsville), Alligator Creek, pavement strengthening	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway (Townsville – Ingham), Toomulla Intersection, pavement strengthening	Construction starting next week.
Bruce Highway (Townsville – Ingham), Hencamp Creek, pavement strengthening	Construction underway.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), various locations, pavement strengthening	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Dean Road to Tully High School, wide centre line treatment	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Aldridge Road to Poppi Road, wide centre line treatment	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns), various locations, pavement strengthening	Procurement underway.
Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program – Early Start Package – Design
Project Name	Project Status
Bruce Highway (Maryborough – Gin Gin), preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements	Early start activities have commenced and a number of design packages have been released to the market.
Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements	Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing.
Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements	Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing.
Bruce Highway (Ayr – Townsville), preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements	Assessment of locations and early start activities (for example, survey) are commencing.
Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), preconstruction and design for priority safety improvements	Early start activities have commenced and a number of design packages have been released to the market.

MEDIA CONTACT: Kate Leonard-Jones 0484 620 899