Published Wednesday, 15 October, 2008 at 12:00 PM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Minister pleased with Bruce Highway upgrade progress
Construction of stage two of the $70.8 million upgrade of the Bruce Highway though Gympie is on schedule and expected to be completed by early next year.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt inspected work on the federally-funded project as part of a two-day tour of the region and was delighted by the progress to date.
“The Bruce Highway upgrade through Gympie is an enormous project which will have significant benefits for the local community," Mr Pitt said.
"Stage one was completed five months ahead of schedule in November 2007 and despite the downpour earlier this year, stage two is on track for completion in early 2009.
"Once completed, motorists travelling through Gympie will enjoy improved efficiency and safety thanks partly to the upgrade of the Monkland Street and Channon Street intersections.”
The Monkland Street intersection, used by around 30,000 vehicles per day, will be widened to incorporate two through lanes and separate left and right turning lanes. Additional through and turn lanes will also be added to the Bruce Highway part of the intersection.
"Dedicated turning lanes and traffic signals will also be installed at the Channon Street intersection,” Mr Pitt said.
"Traffic signals at both intersections will be synchronised to improve traffic flow, with closed circuit television cameras used to monitor traffic movement."
Mr Pitt said design for stage three of the upgrade was almost completed and included improvements to major intersections at Cross and Jane Streets. Tenders for construction are expected to be called for later this year, with construction expected to start by mid-2009 and finish by mid-2010.
“The Gympie community will be the big winners from this upgrade as more than 70 per cent of traffic on this section of highway is local,” Mr Pitt said.
“Reducing congestion, building a strong road network and most importantly, improving safety for motorists, are what Main Roads is all about.
“We will continue to work closely with all levels of government and the community to ensure our road network meets the needs of Queensland motorists.
“The state government’s focus on improving safety and tackling congestion on our roads has never been stronger. “
In the Gympie region, more than $50 million has been allocated to road related projects over the next five years. Some of these include:
For more information on the Bruce Highway upgrade or Main Roads projects in the Gympie Region, visit the Main Roads website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt inspected work on the federally-funded project as part of a two-day tour of the region and was delighted by the progress to date.
“The Bruce Highway upgrade through Gympie is an enormous project which will have significant benefits for the local community," Mr Pitt said.
"Stage one was completed five months ahead of schedule in November 2007 and despite the downpour earlier this year, stage two is on track for completion in early 2009.
"Once completed, motorists travelling through Gympie will enjoy improved efficiency and safety thanks partly to the upgrade of the Monkland Street and Channon Street intersections.”
The Monkland Street intersection, used by around 30,000 vehicles per day, will be widened to incorporate two through lanes and separate left and right turning lanes. Additional through and turn lanes will also be added to the Bruce Highway part of the intersection.
"Dedicated turning lanes and traffic signals will also be installed at the Channon Street intersection,” Mr Pitt said.
"Traffic signals at both intersections will be synchronised to improve traffic flow, with closed circuit television cameras used to monitor traffic movement."
Mr Pitt said design for stage three of the upgrade was almost completed and included improvements to major intersections at Cross and Jane Streets. Tenders for construction are expected to be called for later this year, with construction expected to start by mid-2009 and finish by mid-2010.
“The Gympie community will be the big winners from this upgrade as more than 70 per cent of traffic on this section of highway is local,” Mr Pitt said.
“Reducing congestion, building a strong road network and most importantly, improving safety for motorists, are what Main Roads is all about.
“We will continue to work closely with all levels of government and the community to ensure our road network meets the needs of Queensland motorists.
“The state government’s focus on improving safety and tackling congestion on our roads has never been stronger. “
In the Gympie region, more than $50 million has been allocated to road related projects over the next five years. Some of these include:
- $16.5 million to seal a section of Kin Kin Road at Noonan Range
- $7.35 million to construct the Vic Olsen Bridge and its approaches on Tuchekoi Road
- $2.79 million in joint-funding with the Australian Government to provide intelligent transport systems on the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Gympie
- $2 million to upgrade the Tin Can Bay Road/Rainbow Beach Road intersection
- $2 million to rehabilitate and widen Tuchekoi Road between Conoongibber Creek and Gympie Brooloo Road
- $1.4 million for intersection improvements on Gympie-Woolooga Road between Bushland Drive and Kookaburra Court.
For more information on the Bruce Highway upgrade or Main Roads projects in the Gympie Region, visit the Main Roads website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au
Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819