More lanes have been added to a bustling section of highway between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
Three lanes of traffic are now open north and southbound between Pumicestone Road at Elimbah and Caboolture-Bribie Island Road at Caboolture. Two new southbound bridges, at King Johns Creek and Lagoon Creek, have also been built.
The 6.7km upgrade represents the first stage of a planned two-stage 11km, $662.5 million road upgrade between Beerburrum and Caboolture.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King said the upgrades would make a significant difference.
“Widening this stretch will keep traffic flowing on Queensland’s longest and busiest highway,” she said.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the works were the latest in upgrades between the Sunshine Coast and Brisbane.
“Motorists are enjoying the significant benefits the project is delivering, with three lanes of traffic moving smoothly in each direction along this key part of the Bruce Highway,” he said.
“This milestone (Stage 1 completion) follows another significant achievement for the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program recently, with completion of the Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project in June 2023.
“The Maroochydore Road and Mons Road Interchanges project has improved safety and efficiency and significantly increased capacity at the interchanges, keeping traffic flowing on the Bruce Highway.”
The Member for Morayfield Mark Ryan said it was a significant moment.
“This is a fantastic milestone for a project that will deliver benefits to residents and communities in North Brisbane and the North Coast areas for generations,” he said.
“With a total of 10 new bridges, including two new three-lane northbound bridges that are 1.5m higher at King Johns and Lagoon creeks, the highway will be more resilient during significant wet weather events.”
Member for Pumicestone Ali King said motorists should pay attention to speed limits in the area.
“A temporary 100km/h speed limit is in place and will be permanently increased to 110km/h through this section once the whole project is completed,” she said.
“Some minor finalisation works will be completed over the coming weeks.”
She said that stage two of the project, between Steve Irwin Way and Pumicestone Road, was being worked on.
“The second contract is on track to finish in early 2024, following weather and construction industry impacts,” she said.
“We are transforming what was previously the most flood-prone stretch of highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.”
The federal government is committing $530 million and the state government is committing $132.5 million towards the entire project, which was expected to be completed early next year.
Subscribe to our FREE daily news feed. All it requires is your name and email at the bottom of this article.
