Bruce Highway upgrade has designs on new names

Community members can now submit ideas for naming new infrastructure being built for the $481 million Bruce Highway upgrade south of Cairns.

The selected names will be given to new bridges, overpasses and roads built as part of the 10.5km duplication of the highway between Edmonton and Gordonvale.

Member for Mulgrave and Speaker of the Queensland Parliament Curtis Pitt said suggestions could be Indigenous, fauna or flora species, a person, sporting or historical events linked to the area

"We’re asking for names with a special connection to the local area that also have significance for our community,” Mr Pitt said.

“This is a unique opportunity to formally recognise the character and characters in our community by establishing new local landmarks in their name.”

The naming initiative comes as the final detailed design for the massive highway overhaul was released.

Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project was one of several major road upgrades supporting hundreds of local jobs in the Cairns region.

We’re on track to finish the Smithfield Bypass and the Bruce Highway upgrades just south of the CBD this year, but the Edmonton to Gordonvale upgrade is one of the largest road projects in the state right now,” Mr Bailey said.

“These projects are playing an important role in supporting Queensland’s economic recovery.

“We’ve just ticked over 12 months since work began, so people who drive this road every day will see major construction underway.

"This project will deliver significant safety improvements along this section of the Bruce Highway, which is the busiest two-lane section between Brisbane and Cairns.

“The new alignment and access changes included in the design will allow the speed limit to be increased to 100km/h between Edmonton and Gordonvale.

"A dedicated, off-road, bike cycleway will be built along with a pedestrian overpass which will improve safety for pedestrians and bike riders crossing the Bruce Highway south of Draper Road in Gordonvale too."

The $481 million E2G project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

The E2G project is part of the 15-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, a $13 billion program of works to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity from Brisbane to Cairns.

Project completion is expected mid-2023, weather permitting.

For more information about the E2G project, visit TMR.qld.gov.au/cairnsbrucehighwaystage3

The final design can also be viewed at the project's Kern Street site office.

To book an appointment, call 1800 187 937.

Details on naming process:

To ensure the broader community is involved in the naming process, Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has implemented a formal process for submissions to name the infrastructure on the E2G project.

A naming committee made up of local community members will review the nominations and make recommendations to the Queensland Government. 

Anyone who has previously submitted naming suggestions to TMR will need to make a submission through the official form to be considered.

Criteria for submissions and nomination forms are available at https://www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/edmonton-gordonvale

Submissions will close at midnight on 30 June 2021.  

ENDS

Media contact: Toby Walker – 0439 347 875