Happy New Year for Bowen Bruce Drivers
Published Friday, 16 December, 2022 at 01:00 PM
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Mark Bailey
Safety improvements to the Bruce Highway near Bowen will resume early next year (2023) following the recent award of a new contract to FKG Civil.
Works on two Bruce Highway projects, between Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street intersections, ceased in February 2022 after principal contractor WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd went into voluntary administration.
Together, these projects will deliver six kilometres of safety improvements when they are expected to be completed in early 2024.
This includes road widening, wide centre line treatments, guard rails, protected turn lanes, removal of roadside hazards and an upgrade to the Bowen Connection Road and Don Street intersection.
The intersection upgrade at Bowen Connection Road and Don Street is estimated to support an average of 10 direct jobs over the life of the project.
The Bruce Highway widening from Bowen Connection Road to Champion Street intersection is estimated to support an average of 35 direct jobs over the life of the project.
A third project on the highway, between Emu Creek in Proserpine and Drays Road in Bowen, was also affected by WBHO's voluntary administration and will be completed by new contractor RMS Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd.
The projects are being delivered as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program (BHUP), a 15-year, $13 billion program of works aimed at improving safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns, with the Australian Government contributing $10.4 billion and the Queensland Government contributing $2.6 billion.
For up-to-date information on roadworks and other traffic information, visit www.qldtraffic.qld.gov.au or call 13 19 40.
For more information about these projects, visit: (NB. first two webpages need to be updated)
Quotes attributable to Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
“It’s unfortunate this project was impacted by the high inflation experienced nation wide under the former-Morrison Government.
“In great news, we’ve negotiated with the new Federal Albanese Government to get these works back on track.
“I know this announcement will come as good news for local residents, freight operators and tourists alike.
“FKG Civil will get on with the job early next year (2023), between Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street and at Bowen Connection Road and Don Street.”
Quotes attributable to Palaszczuk Government Assistant Minister and State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert:
"Since construction halted, Whitsunday Regional Council has been undertaking maintenance work to preserve the site and ensure it remains in a safe condition for our road users until work can continue.
“I want to thank drivers, especially truckies, for their patience while we worked through negotiations on the project.
“I’m pleased we can resume works in the New Year, which will see the project completed in early 2024.”
ENDS