TENDERS CALLED FOR MORE SAFETY WORKS NORTH OF GYMPIE ON THE BRUCE HIGHWAY
A major safety upgrade of a 4.7-kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway at Chatsworth, north of Gympie, is one step closer after tenders were recently called to deliver the upgrade.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Michael McCormack said the $12 million safety works will provide safer travel conditions and enhance traffic flow, creating a free-flowing corridor along the Bruce Highway from Gympie to Curra.
“Around Australia the Federal Government is focused on investing in our roads to ensure people can get home sooner and safer, as well as providing a boost to productivity,” Mr McCormack said.
“This includes our $10 billion commitment to the Bruce Highway. Dedicated turn lanes, wide centreline treatments, pavement widening and guard rails will reduce the chance of rear-end crashes and minimise the severity of any run-off-road crashes along this section.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the project was a win for motorists, boosting safety and reducing vehicle operating costs.
“The upgrade of the road surface and several intersections will streamline highway traffic, improving efficiency and safety,” Mr Bailey said.
“The project team will work with the successful contractor to ensure any impacts on the travelling public are kept to a minimum during construction.
“The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s major north to south road corridor for tourist, transport and freight industries, and the call for tenders this week is great progress towards our commitment to make Bruce Highway safer for all road users.”
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien said the new asphalt would also improve the longevity of this stretch of road and minimise future vehicle maintenance costs, especially for freight operators.
“Safer roads save lives. I travel in and around these intersections daily and I know how dangerous they can be,” Mr O’Brien said.
“This new investment will make these intersections safer for all road users and I look forward to the positive difference they will make both to people who live in Gympie and those who travel through.”
Safety improvements will occur at the following intersections of the Bruce Highway:
· 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, 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.
Work is expected to start late 2018 and be completed early 2019, weather permitting.
The $12 million project forms part of the $1.04 Billion Bruce Highway Safety Package which is jointly funded, with the Australian Government contributing $831 million and the Queensland Government contributing $208 million.
For more information on the tender (CN-8987) phone 1300 728 390 during business hours or email: bundaberg.office@tmr.qld.gov.au.