The Queensland Crisafulli Government’s first budget is investing heavily in road safety, allocating $412 million for Bruce Highway works in the 2025-26 financial year. This is part of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, backed by an 80:20 funding split with the Australian Government. The program aims to upgrade Queensland’s key transport corridor with projects designed to reduce crashes and save lives.
Dylan Anderson
Current and Upcoming Construction Projects
Construction is already underway on five priority projects. These include:
- Three safety improvement projects at Bauple north of Gympie
- A new rest area under construction at Curra
- Road pavement strengthening near Hencamp Creek between Townsville and Ingham, nearly completed
Additionally, two projects near Townsville are scheduled to start next week, continuing the momentum of upgrades.
Focus on Reducing Fatal Crashes
The program prioritises wide centre line treatments, road widening, and audio-tactile line markings to tackle the most common fatal crash types on the Bruce Highway: run-off road and head-on collisions.
Dedicated Team to Drive Delivery
A dedicated Program Management Office has been set up to oversee the upgrades, with 150 new frontline staff — including engineers, project managers, and safety specialists — working across regional Queensland to deliver these projects efficiently and to a high standard.
Future Works and Long-Term Planning
Queensland’s latest Transport and Roads Investment Program (QTRIP) outlines a record $42 billion over four years for safer roads and improved transport infrastructure across the state. The Bruce Highway upgrades are central to this long-term plan.
Detailed Early Start Package Status
Construction Underway:
- Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Curra, new rest area
- Safety improvements at Stratford Road and Chapmans Road near Gympie
- Brooks Road intersection upgrade
- Hencamp Creek pavement strengthening
Starting Next Week:
- Bootooloo Road wide centre line treatment (Bowen – Ayr)
- Toomulla Intersection pavement strengthening (Townsville – Ingham)
In Procurement:
- Alligator Creek pavement strengthening (Ayr – Townsville)
- Various safety upgrades from Ingham to Innisfail and Innisfail to Cairns
Preconstruction and Design:
- Early assessment and design activities underway from Maryborough through Mackay and Ingham, with some design packages already released.
Dylan Anderson
Program Set to Improve Safety
The combination of widening lanes, upgrading intersections, building rest areas, and applying wide centre line treatments is expected to reduce crash risks along the Bruce Highway significantly. This new funding ensures the work will continue at pace, with more safety improvements planned in the years ahead.
How to Stay Informed
Motorists can download the QLDTraffic App to stay up to date with traffic conditions during construction. More details about the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program are available on the Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads website.
Dylan Anderson
Dylan Anderson
