Works start on Bruce Highway at Gairloch to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer

Works are starting on new Bruce Highway upgrades in North Queensland at Gairloch, to improve safety and flood resilience.
The project is one of 150 complete or underway along the Bruce Highway jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments.
The upgrades are helping to fix the Bruce Highway, with improved safety and resilience to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
Flood resilience and safety upgrades near Gairloch have now started, which are designed to help reduce the severity of flooding across this section of highway and the occurrence of head-on crashes.

 The Albanese and Crisafulli Governments are getting on with upgrading the Bruce Highway at Gairloch, between Ingham and Cardwell in north Queensland, with construction now underway on two key sections to get Queenslanders home safer and sooner.

The long-awaited upgrades at Gairloch will improve safety for drivers and are expected to help reduce flood-related closures during the wet season.

The Gairloch to Ripple Creek section will widen the road and improve drainage, while the Ingham-Halifax-Bemerside Road and Cardwell Range section will widen the road, with both projects delivering critical safety improvements.

The two projects are part of a plan to improve safety and flood resilience between Ingham and the Cardwell Range.

Under the separate $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program which began last year, 18 projects have been completed, 20 are underway, and 7 are expected to start construction this year. These works are delivering a pipeline of upgrades along the highway between Gympie and Cairns.

In total, 150 projects are in planning, design, construction or have been completed through the $9 billion investment in the Bruce Highway.

The first stage of works between Gairloch and Ripple Creek is jointly funded by the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments using efficiencies realised under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, while the other works are part of the $1 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package and funded on an 80:20 basis.

Queensland Premier David Crisafulli said the Crisafulli Government was getting on with fixing the Bruce.

“We’re backing the Bruce with the upgrades needed to get you home sooner and safer,” Premier Crisafulli said.

“We’re serious about bringing it up to the standard it should be and we’ve got shovels in the ground.

“Upgrading the Bruce at Gairloch has been spoken about for decades, and finally now work is being done.

“Despite the naysayers, we’ve secured a funding deal that respects your money and means more upgrades to make the Bruce safer, stronger and more reliable.”

Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King said the Bruce Highway was a critical connection for North Queensland communities, freight operators, businesses and visitors.

“The Albanese Government is getting on with delivering our record investment in the Bruce.

“The Bruce Highway is a critical connection for North Queensland communities, freight operators, businesses and visitors.

“The works north of Ingham will help strengthen a section of highway that is frequently impacted by wet weather, providing better connections for local communities and the industries that rely on this important corridor.

“Investing in resilience means investing before disaster strikes, helping communities stay connected to essential services, supporting recovery efforts and reducing the impacts of future natural hazards.”

Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said North Queenslanders knew all too well the impacts that flooding and extreme weather could have on critical transport links, communities and local economies.

“North Queenslanders know all too well the impacts that flooding and extreme weather can have on critical transport links, communities and local economies.

“These upgrades will help make this section of the Bruce Highway more resilient by improving drainage, strengthening vulnerable sections of road and reducing the risk of lengthy disruptions during wet weather.

“By working in partnership with the Queensland Government, we're delivering practical improvements that will help keep people and freight moving when it matters most.”

Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Road Brent Mickelberg said the start of construction across the Bruce marked an important step towards delivering safer and more reliable journeys.

“With further projects progressing from Gympie to Cairns, a significant program of work is gathering pace across the Bruce Highway,” Minister Mickelberg said.

“Under the 80:20 funding deal we struck with the Commonwealth – which we were told couldn’t be done – every cent of the $9 billion is being spent upgrading the Bruce Highway between Gympie and Cairns.

“We told Queenslanders were committed to fixing the Bruce and the works underway up and down the spine of our state shows we’re doing what we said we would.

“Already the completed works are already making a real difference for motorists, regional communities and freight operators between Gympie and Cairns.”

Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm said every upgrade along the Bruce was about building a safer more resilient road.

“Every upgrade underway along the Bruce, like these critical works between Ingham and Cardwell, is about building a safer, more resilient road network for North Queensland,” Senator Chisholm said.

“The Albanese Government made a commitment to Queenslanders to build a better Bruce, and that’s what these upgrades are all about.

“This essential work will cut flood risks, strengthen the road and keep regional communities in North Queensland connected when they need it most.”

State Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa said the funding would make the Bruce safer for locals and visitors. 

"This announcement shows exactly what can be achieved when Hinchinbrook has a strong voice at the Government table. I committed to fighting for the infrastructure our region deserves, and today we're seeing that commitment translate into real investment for North Queensland,” Mr Chiesa said.

“Locals know better than anyone just how often this section of road goes underwater. Every wet season, families, businesses and transport operators face uncertainty when this vital link is cut. This investment is about building a safer, more resilient road network that keeps our communities connected when it matters most."

"This road is among the most flood-prone stretches of highway in Queensland, and the people who live and work here know the challenges that come with that reality. Today's investment demonstrates the Crisafulli Government's commitment to North Queensland and to delivering practical projects that improve safety and reliability for local communities."

ENDS

MEDIA CONTACT: Brendan Morris 0428 962 414

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program

Mourilyan Harbour Road – intersection safety upgrade – construction underway.
Aldridge Road to Poppi Road – wide centre line treatment with road widening and audio tactile line marking, drainage improvements – construction underway.
Dean Road to Tully High School - wide centre line treatment with road widening and audio tactile line marking, intersection upgrade and drainage improvements – construction underway.
Mackenzie Creek to Tindall Court safety upgrade – wide centre line treatment with road widening and audio tactile line marking, overtaking lanes and intersection upgrades – construction expected November 2026.
Central Road to Mary River – wide centre line treatment, embank improvements and guardrail installation – constriction underway.
Takilberan Creek to Walily Creek – Kalpowar Road intersection upgrade – constriction expected October 2026.
Walily Creek to E Claxton Road – E Claxton Road and Rickards Road intersection upgrade – construction expected November 2026.
Howard turnoff to south of Doghole Creek – safety improvements – early works expected December 2026.
Gin Gin Heavy Vehicle Rest Area – early works expected late-2026, subject to final Australian Government approvals.

Other Bruce Highway Projects – various funding sources

Gairloch to Ripple Creek resilience improvements – wide centre line treatments, replacement of culverts, improved drainage, road widening, and highway reconstruction – jointly funded Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program.
Ingham–Halifax–Bemerside Road and Cardwell Range – includes pavement widening and safety improvements – jointly funded under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
Gairloch Floodway – re-alignment and the delivery of a new bridge at the Gairloch Floodway to improve safety, traffic flow, and flood-related disruptions – funded by the Australian Government.
Bruce Highway and Walker Street intersection upgrade – early works underway- funded by the Queensland Government