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Completion of the $1.162 billion Gympie Bypass is just weeks away, with confirmation that works are on track to be finished in October 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development, Senator Anthony Chisholm and Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish, will make the announcement today at the official commissioning event at the Gympie Bypass Community Day.
More than 3,000 community members celebrated the milestone on a section of the bypass near the Flood Road interchange, getting the chance to access a part of the new highway before it opens to traffic.
The project has involved constructing a new 26-kilometre, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, just south of Gympie, and Curra.
It is the final section of a 62-kilometre, $2.549 billion program of works to upgrade the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra.
Construction of the overall Cooroy to Curra program began in September 2009.
The $1.162 billion Gympie Bypass is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $929.6 million and the Queensland Government contributing $232.4 million.
Further details can be found on the Queensland Transport and Main Roads website here (select ‘Section D’).
Piling works complete for $1b Gympie bypass project
About Gympie Bypass
The Gympie Bypass is a significant infrastructure project in Queensland, Australia, designed to improve traffic flow and safety on the Bruce Highway, one of the most critical transport corridors in the state. The bypass, also known as the Gympie Bypass (Cooroy to Curra Section D), is part of the larger Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which aims to enhance the safety, flood resilience, and capacity of the highway.
- Location: The Gympie Bypass is located in the Gympie region, approximately 160 kilometers north of Brisbane. The bypass is a new section of the Bruce Highway that will divert traffic around the eastern side of Gympie, from south of Woondum to Curra.
- Length: The bypass is approximately 26 kilometers long, providing a four-lane divided highway (two lanes in each direction) that will improve travel times and reduce congestion in and around the Gympie area.
- Stages: The bypass is part of the Cooroy to Curra (Section D) upgrade, which is divided into multiple stages. This section of the project is the final stage (Section D) and is the most northern section, linking with existing sections upgraded previously.
- Funding: The project is jointly funded by the Australian Government and the Queensland Government. The total cost of Section D is estimated to be around AUD 1 billion.
Objectives and Benefits
The primary objectives of the Gympie Bypass are:
- Safety Improvements: The bypass is expected to significantly reduce the number of crashes on this section of the Bruce Highway by diverting heavy traffic away from the Gympie township. The highway’s design includes modern safety features such as grade-separated interchanges and median barriers.
- Flood Resilience: The bypass is being constructed with improved flood resilience, ensuring that the Bruce Highway remains open and functional during extreme weather events, which have historically caused significant disruptions in this area.
- Reduced Congestion: By diverting long-distance and heavy vehicle traffic away from the Gympie urban area, the bypass will reduce congestion, particularly in the town center, improving local traffic conditions and travel times for through traffic.
- Economic Growth: The project is expected to stimulate economic growth in the region by improving transport efficiency, supporting local industries, and creating jobs during the construction phase.
Current Status
The project has faced challenges, including managing the impact on local communities and the environment, but it remains a top priority within the broader Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
Once completed, the Gympie Bypass will represent a significant improvement in Queensland’s road network, providing safer, more reliable, and more efficient transport options for both local residents and long-distance travelers.
Sources
- Queensland Government – Department of Transport and Main Roads: Provides detailed information about the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, including the Gympie Bypass. Queensland Government
- Australian Government – Infrastructure Investment Program: Outlines federal funding contributions and the significance of the project in the national infrastructure landscape. Australian Government
Work continuing on Gympie Road Bypass
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Work is continuing on the next phase of the Gympie Road Bypass with traffic and ecological surveys now underway.
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According to Infrastructure Partnerships Australia, the 2024-25 Queensland Budget differs significantly from the more restrained infrastructure plans of other states.
