Works are underway on the $103 million Bruce Highway flood-immunity upgrade north of Maryborough, with two new bridges being built at Saltwater Creek and Deadmans Gully.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the jointly funded will upgrade bridges and flood-ways near Aldershot to reduce the impact of flooding between Maryborough and Torbanlea.
“These upgrades will provide flood immunity for a one-in-100-year flood, keeping traffic flowing and communities and emergency services connected even during times of crisis,” he said.
“The Federal Government is investing over $10 billion in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway for the over half of all Queenslanders, from Brisbane right through to Cairns, who rely on this key north-south route.”
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project was one of hundreds being delivered under the jointly funded $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
“We’re making excellent progress on the pipeline of projects up and down the Bruce Highway, with 154 projects in delivery, including 48 under construction right now,” Bailey said.
“With the $1 billion Gympie Bypass moving ahead, increased funding locked in to build four lanes for the Tiaro Bypass and now works starting at Saltwater Creek, locals in Gympie and the Wide Bay Region will benefits from significant improvements to the highway.”
Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said the project would improve flood immunity on the Bruce Highway by building the new bridges and upgrading four flood-ways between Maryborough and Torbanlea.
“This section of the Bruce Highway has poor flood immunity and has faced lengthy closures during significant rainfall events, so this important upgrade will help ensure traffic and freight can keep moving during wet weather,” Pitt said.
“This will strengthen the resilience of our national highway, and ensure that passengers and freight movements can avoid disruptions, which has a significant impact on the local economy and particularly the horticulture and cane industries.”
Work is also underway on the $20 million Bruce Highway upgrade at Childers, as well as $43 million worth of targeted safety upgrades on the highway between Gin Gin and Miriam Vale.