FKG Civil to continue safety improvements to the Bruce Highway following WBHO's collapse

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December 19, 2022

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FKG Civil to continue safety improvements to the Bruce Highway near Bowen early next year following the principal contractor’s voluntary admission.

Works on two Bruce Highway projects, between Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street intersections, ceased in February 2022 after principal contractor WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd went into voluntary administration.

Together, these projects will deliver six kilometres of safety improvements when they are expected to be completed in early 2024.

This includes road widening, comprehensive centre line treatments, guard rails, protected turn lanes, removal of roadside hazards and an upgrade to the Bowen Connection Road and Don Street intersection.

The intersection upgrade at Bowen Connection Road and Don Street is estimated to support an average of 10 direct jobs over the project’s life.

The Bruce Highway widening from Bowen Connection Road to Champion Street intersection is estimated to support an average of 35 direct jobs over the project’s life.

A third project on the highway, between Emu Creek in Proserpine and Drays Road in Bowen, was also affected by WBHO’s voluntary administration and will be completed by new contractor RMS Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd.

“Since construction halted, Whitsunday Regional Council has been undertaking maintenance work to preserve the site and ensure it remains in a safe condition for our road users until work can continue,” says Palaszczuk Government Assistant Minister and State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert.

“I want to thank drivers, especially truckies, for their patience while we worked through negotiations on the project,” says Palaszczuk Government Assistant Minister and State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert.

The projects are being delivered as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program (BHUP), a 15-year, $13 billion program of works aimed at improving safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns, with the Australian Government contributing $10.4 billion and the Queensland Government contributing $2.6 billion.

“Unfortunately, this project was impacted by the high inflation experienced nationwide under the former-Morrison Government,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

“FKG Civil will get on with the job early next year (2023), between Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street and at Bowen Connection Road and Don Street,” says Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey.

Source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2022

Image source: © The State of Queensland 1997–2022