Tiaro Bypass draft concept design complete

Bruce Highway, queensland, Tiaro Bypass,

December 15, 2021

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A concept design for the Tiaro Bypass has now been completed, which shows how a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway east of Tiaro could look.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the bypass will address safety, flood immunity and traffic efficiency issues, and cater for current and future traffic demand on the Bruce Highway.

“The draft concept design includes nine kilometres of new, four-lane highway, a concrete centre median, interchanges north and south of Tiaro, and improved highway flood immunity,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.

“The Australian Government is investing over $10 billion in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway. This will benefit Queenslanders, from Brisbane to Cairns, on this key north-south route.”

About Tiaro Bypass

The Bruce Highway at Tiaro contains 3 flood zones, variable speed limits (including a 40km/h school zone), a signalised pedestrian crossing, over 50 direct property accesses and intersections and a mix of local and through highway traffic.

Flood related highway closures at Tiaro lead to disruption of freight and passenger traffic, with no diversion route. These closures have a significant impact on the national road transport network and result in the isolation of the Tiaro township during significant flood events. 

Delays at Tiaro during peak travel times result in substantial queues on the highway in both directions.

Key features

• 9km of a new 4-lane highway east of Tiaro with a concrete centre median separating opposing traffic lanes.
• 2 grade separated interchanges (one north and one south) providing easy connectivity to Tiaro for residents and visitors.
• Realignment of local roads to the closest new interchange.
• Improved highway flood immunity (designed for a 1-in-100-year flood event).

Funding

The project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments. 
Investment ID 371601.

Total investment $336 million:

• Australian Government $269 million
• Queensland Government $67 million

Current status

The department has developed a draft concept design for the new Tiaro Bypass. The draft concept design includes:

• 9km of 4-lane highway with a concrete centre median barrier to separate northbound and southbound traffic and reduce the risk of head-on collisions
• 2 connection points to Tiaro (one at Wilsons Road in the north and one at Tahiti Road in the south) to provide efficient access to the township and help encourage visitation
• grade separated interchanges, with overpass bridges at each connection to Tiaro to separate local and through traffic and provide safe connectivity to and from the new bypass
• a realignment of Bauple Drive to connect to the new Tahiti Road interchange via a service road to improve safety.

The new highway will be built on an alignment selected to minimise impacts on property owners, adjacent residents, sensitive environment areas, waterways and heritage artefacts. The project is in the planning phase, which is expected to be completed by early 2022 and will be followed by detailed design development. 

Detailed design includes:

• more detailed investigations including environmental, hydraulics, noise, geotechnical, pavement, traffic and safety assessments
• development of detailed road and bridge design drawings including drainage, lighting, signage, property accesses and public utility relocations
• preparation of detailed cost estimates, construction drawings and contract and procurement documents for the construction phase.

Last Updated Dec 2021

Source: © The State of Queensland (Department of Transport and Main Roads) 2010–2020

Source: © Copyright, Commonwealth of Australia

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