Bruce Highway project resumes important safety construction upgrades

Bruce-Highway-Upgrades

Bruce Highway, FKG Civil, Queensland Government, RMS Engineering and Construction, WBHO,

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RMS Engineering and Construction & FKG Civil Pty Ltd resume important safety upgrades for the Bruce Highway between Proserpine and Bowen.

Construction halted on three projects between Emu Creek and Drays Road, and Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street last year after the original principal contractor, WBHO Infrastructure Pty Ltd, went into voluntary administration.

Early works have started, and major works are scheduled to begin in mid-February after new contractors RMS Engineering and Construction Pty Ltd and FKG Civil Pty Ltd mobilised to deliver:

  • 20 kilometres of safety improvements between Emu Creek and Drays Road, including wide centre line treatments, guard rails and protected right turn lanes at five intersections.
  • Safety improvements to about six kilometres of highway between the Bowen Connection Road and Champion Street, including road widening, wide centre line treatments installation, intersection upgrades, removal of roadside hazards and guard rail installations.
  • Upgrades to the intersection at Bowen Connection Road and Don Street to include a separate lane for vehicles turning right from the highway to enter and accelerate through traffic speed before merging.

“We know how important the Bruce Highway is for Queenslanders, which is why it’s so good to see these upgrades back up and running,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. 

“These works will make the Bruce Highway much safer and easier to use in North Queensland,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. 

“The upgrades are another example of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s commitment to delivering better roads across the state,” says State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey. 

All three projects are expected to be completed in early 2024, weather permitting.

The projects are being delivered as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program – 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.

“We understand the impact this has had on residents and road users, and I’m glad to announce we now have new contractors on board to deliver these upgrades,” says State Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Bruce Saunders. 

“These upgrades come as part of the Palaszczuk Labor Government’s $18.1 billion road and transport plan for regional Queensland, supporting 16,220 good, secure jobs,” says State Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Bruce Saunders. 

“We’re delivering better services across the state, helping Queenslanders get home sooner and safer, says State Assistant Minister for Regional Roads Bruce Saunders. 

“The Whitsunday Regional Council undertook maintenance work to preserve the site and have kept it safe for road users while works could not go ahead,” says State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert. 

“We’re getting on with the projects that matter, helping Queenslanders spend less time behind the wheel and more enjoying our great lifestyle,” says State Member for Mackay Julieanne Gilbert. 

The Emu Creek to Drays Road investment is estimated to support an average of 55 direct jobs over the project’s life.

The Bowen Connection Road to Champion Street investment is estimated to support 35 direct jobs, while the Bowen Connection Road and Don Street intersection project is estimated to support a further ten direct jobs over the life of the projects.

Source: © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) 2010–2023

Image source: © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) 2010–2023

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