15 February 2019 – The Federal Government this week announced the commencement of safety upgrades on the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth, north of Gympie.
The Government says the works will improve safety and traffic conditions while creating a free-flowing corridor from Gympie to Curra.
The $17.75 million project forms part of the broader works on one of Australia’s key freight corridors and will see the addition of dedicated turning lanes, road widening and installation of guard rails to minimise the severity of any run-off road crashes on the 4.7 kilometre stretch.
According to the Government, the project is jointly funded under the $1.04 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package, with the Federal Government contributing $9.6 million and the Queensland State Government contributing $2.4 million. The Federal Government’s Blackspots, Rest Areas and Safety Upgrades Package has contributed the balance of $5.75 million.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Michael McCormack, said the landmark project would improve safety, increase efficiency and reduce congestion.
“We are investing to build the Bruce Highway Queensland deserves,” Mr McCormack said.
“About 16,000 vehicles travel along this busy section each day, including more than 2,800 heavy vehicles so this is a vital upgrade to make it safer.”
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the safety upgrades will allow everyone to reach their destination sooner and safer.
“Safer roads save lives and we are continuing to deliver on our commitment to improve the overall safety of the Bruce Highway by upgrading high-risk safety locations with appropriate treatments.
“While these works will deliver the necessary safety improvements along this section of the highway, they are also expected to support an average of 58 direct jobs over the life of the project.”
Works will include:
Fleming Road intersection: Building a dedicated right-turn lane
McCullough/Benson roads intersection: Building dedicated right and left-turn lanes
Robert Road intersection: Building a dedicated right-turn lane
Vantage Road intersection: Building a dedicated right-turn and left-turn lane, offset from the through lane on the highway, to improve visibility for motorists entering the highway
Service road intersections: Building dedicated right and left-turn lanes at the access near Irvine Road, closing the most northern access to the service road (near Reynolds Road) and restricting movements at the most southern access to left-out only
Reynolds/Rammutt Road intersection: Building a dedicated right-turn lane on the highway to Reynolds Road
Fishermans Pocket Road intersection: Building dedicated right and left-turn lanes
Fraser Road and Fritz Road intersections: Completing minor modifications to meet current design standards, as part of the road widening works.
Construction is expected to be completed in late 2019.
Photo of the Bruce Highway by russellstreet/licensed under CC BY
