The safety upgrades are expected to be completed by mid-2019, weather permitting.
Safety upgrades have started along a 2.4 kilometre section of the Bruce Highway just north of Gin Gin.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the $8.23 million jointly funded works would improve safety and efficiency for all road users.
“We are investing in making the Bruce safer so people can get home to their families sooner and safer, as well as boosting productivity,” Mr McCormack said.
“These works will include delivering a wider centreline to increase the distance between oncoming vehicles, which will significantly improve safety along this stretch of the highway.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Mark Bailey said the project would also include installing Township Entry Treatments (TET) north and south of Gin Gin.
“TET involve installing signs and line-marking at the entrance to rural towns to remind drivers to slow down,” Mr Bailey said.
“These treatments have proven effective in reducing vehicle speeds and crash rates as they enhance a driver’s awareness of the changing road environment.
“TET programs have also been successfully rolled out in New Zealand and the United Kingdom with both countries recording a reduction in travel speeds and crashes.”
Federal Member for Flynn Ken O’Dowd said the project was part of the Australian Government funded $10 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the highway between Brisbane and Cairns.
“This upgrade is a significant safety and economic boost for the region and for the large number of businesses and freight operators which use the highway,” Mr O’Dowd said.
“An average of 27 jobs are expected to be supported over the life of the project, which is being delivered by Australian-owned and operated company Hazell Brothers.”
The road widening will allow for the installation of dedicated left and right-turn lanes on the highway at the Rangeview Road, Gin Gin-Mount Perry Road and Damascus Road intersections.
The project will also remove some vegetation along the highway, reducing the risk and severity of run-off-road crashes.”
The safety upgrades are expected to be completed by mid-2019, weather permitting.
The $8.23 million safety works are jointly funded under the $1.04 billion Bruce Highway Safety Package with the Australian Government funding $831.3 million and the Queensland Government contributing $207.8 million.
