Work is underway to ensure a busy section of the Bruce Highway can withstand a one-in-100-year flood, after the road was cut during recent wild weather.
Ten three-lane bridges are being built at five creek crossings between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way.
This includes an area where significant flooding led to the highway being divided in late February.
There will also be modifications to interchanges, including upgrades to on ramps and off ramps.
The $662.5 million revamp is part of a $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development, Barnaby Joyce, said the program was the largest road infrastructure plan for Queensland.
“We’re working to make highway closures through this section far less common,” he said.
“The new southbound bridges and approaches currently under construction at King Johns and Lagoon creeks will be at least 2.4m higher than the current low-lying ones.
“The existing northbound bridges over King John and Lagoon creeks, already higher than the southbound bridges, will be replaced with new bridges sitting 1.3m higher.”
The revamp is funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis and was expected to be completed by late 2023.
State Member for Caloundra Jason Hunt welcomed the upgrades.
“Through extensive flood resilience project, capacity upgrades and safety works, we’re building a better, more interconnected Sunshine Coast that will be able to better withstand future events like this,” he said.
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Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said crews were assessing construction sites affected by floodwater and resuming work.
“The Bruce Highway is an important part of the national road network and putting an end to delays will be welcome news for the 115,000 drivers who travel these sections each day,” he said.
“I appreciate the patience of locals and industry as we worked to reopen the road, and for the ongoing efforts of crews on the ground who are continuing to clean-up and repair our roads.
“Ongoing flood repairs will also be scheduled on the Bruce Highway and a number of roads on the state-controlled road network in the coming months, to permanently repair any damage and ensure these areas are more flood resilient than before.
“We know the road to recovery is going to be a long one but we’re working together to progress these vital upgrades to give motorists and our freight industry more certainty in the future.”
Federal Member for Longman, Terry Young, said the works complemented other projects underway along the Bruce Highway, including the Deception Bay Road interchange project, which is under construction.
“This upgrade includes two new bridges over the Bruce Highway and removal of the existing bridge, plus crucial upgrades to two intersections and drainage improvements at the interchange.
For current information on road works and conditions across the state, visit Qld Traffic, call 131940 or download the QLDTraffic app.
Key features of the upgrades
- Two extra lanes (one in each direction) between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road interchange and Steve Irwin Way interchange (Exit 163). 110km/h posted speed north of D’Aguilar Highway and 100km/h posted speed to the south. 3.5m traffic lanes with 3m shoulders and flatter batters or barriers as required.
- New 3-lane bridges to withstand a 1-in-100-year flood for northbound and southbound lanes at all 5 creek crossings.
- New 4-lane northbound bridge at Lagoon Creek and the southbound bridge at Beerburrum Creek to allow for current and future ramps.
- Caboolture-Bribie Island Road interchange modification to reduce southbound weaving and allow for ramp metering.
- Northbound exit ramp separation for Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and D’Aguilar Highway interchange into 2 consecutive exit ramps.
- Minor changes to existing interchanges at Pumicestone Road and Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163).
- Provision for smart technologies including ramp signals, variable speed limit and message signs, vehicle detection systems and CCTV cameras.
