The final contract has been awarded to build a major section of the Bruce Highway upgrade between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way at Exit 163.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Michael McCormack said the project was being delivered under the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program – the largest infrastructure program in Queensland.
“The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s major north-south freight and commuter corridor and the Australian Government is committed to improving road safety standards and efficiency across the road network,” the Deputy Prime Minister said.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said work was already underway on the first major contract of the $662.5 million upgrade.
The overall upgrade will involve widening the 11-kilometre section of Bruce Highway from a four-lanes to six-lanes divided carriageway. It will also replace 10 bridges over five creek crossings with wider and higher bridges.
“This project is one of five upgrades with a combined value of more than $3 billion transforming the highway between Brisbane and Gympie, supporting more than 2,000 jobs and driving Queensland’s economic recovery,” Mr Bailey said.
“Major construction on the first contract, which is being delivered by Acciona Infrastructure Australia, began in late November 2020.
“Works are progressing well on that front, with construction on the new southbound lanes now underway.
“Fulton Hogan, which will deliver the second contract we’ve just awarded, will focus on the section between Pumicestone Road and Steve Irwin Way (at Exit 163), with works expected to start on that section by mid-2021.”
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said the second contract included targets to ensure up to 90 per cent of local contract expenditure occurs within 75km of the project site.
“Other contract conditions will ensure direct hires for up to 80 per cent of the project’s workforce, targeting leading hands, operators and labourers directly, as well as increasing training opportunities for staff and new employees and increasing opportunities for Indigenous workers,” Mr Young said.
“In addition to delivering a safer road network, the project is supporting an average of 664 direct jobs and is scheduled for completion in early 2023.
“This is a win for local industry and the freight, commuter and recreational traffic, who will benefit from safer overtaking opportunities and higher-quality journeys.”
Queensland Member for Pumicestone, Ali King, said the project would deliver improvements to the Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Pumicestone Road highway exits.
“These are busy interchanges which will only get busier, so we’re delivering the upgrades now to cater for that growth,” Ms King said.
The Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163) is a jointly funded $662.5 million project, with the Australian Government committing $530 million and the Queensland Government committing $132.5 million.
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