Major Bruce Highway safety boost for Mackay Whitsunday region

• 22 new Bruce Highway projects have been announced under the next round of the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.
• Seven of those projects will be delivered in the Mackay Whitsunday region.
• ​Works are part of the historic $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program and follow the first 16 projects, which have either been completed, are under construction or due to start this month. 

​The Mackay Whitsunday region will benefit from seven new projects to improve safety and reliability along the Bruce Highway under the latest round of the historic $9 billion investment into Queensland’s key north-south highway. 

This next stage of works is part of a more than $500 million joint investment from the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments, delivering 22 new projects under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program. 

​​The works include building a stronger, more resilient road surface, to boost skid resistance, particularly in wet weather, and are being delivered at the following local locations: 

• ​Spider Creek. 
• ​Northern and Southern entry to Sarina.
• ​Southern entry to Mackay.
• ​South of Glendaragh Road.
• ​Marian Hampden Road to Hudsons Road.
• ​Greta Creek to Emu Creek.
• ​South of Goodbye Creek. 

​Work has already begun on the next round of projects and will continue next year, building on the safety benefits from the first round of 16 priority projects, announced in March. 

​Of those 16 priority projects, six are already complete with eight under construction and the remaining two to commence this month. 

​The Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program will continue to boost safety of the Bruce Highway, with additional rounds of projects to be announced as part of the $9 billion program. 

​Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King said the Australian Government was deeply committed to improving road safety. 

​“Our record funding under the new $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program demonstrates our focus to making this a reality for the Bruce,” Minister King said.​  

​“With significant progress made in delivering the $300 million early start package for the program, this next wave of work will ensure prioritised safety improvements continue to roll out on the Bruce Highway, improving safety for the long-term.” 

​Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Brent Mickelberg said safety along the Bruce was receiving a major boost under the landmark $9 billion program.   

​“We are delivering a major boost to safety along the Bruce with rubber hitting the road on another 22 projects,” Minister Mickelberg said. 

​“We’re delivering the critical safety upgrades needed between Gympie and Cairns, to service the spine of our State.  

​“Communities are starting to see the benefits of our efforts to deliver for Queenslanders, particularly those in regional areas.” 

​Member for Whitsundays Amanda Camm said this was what action looked like when State and Federal Governments worked together. 

​"The Bruce Highway is our lifeline in across Central and Northern Queensland and keep our communities connected. It’s vital we upgrade this corridor to ensure safety and reliability for regional Queenslanders,” Ms Camm said. 

​Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said he was proud to be part of a government delivering for regional communities. 

​“To see almost a third of the 22 new projects on the Bruce being delivered in the Mackay-Whitsunday region speaks to the importance this government places on delivering for regional Queenslanders, in particular the people of Mackay," Mr Dalton said. 

​ENDS 

​Media contact: 

​Minister King – Kallista Kaval 0474 048 152. 

​Minister Mickelberg – Kate Leonard-Jones 0484 620 899. 

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