Bruce boost: project milestones hit and 52 new tenders to be released

The rubber is hitting the road along the Bruce Highway with major milestones from Gympie to Cairns as one wave of projects now underway and an additional 52 new tenders set to open. Announced from the soon-to-be opened Curra Rest Area the Albanese and Crisafulli Governments have today marked a string of major milestones across the Bruc 52 tenders to open for design and construction packages; 10 projects to be underway in Central Queensland (7 with construction having started and three to start this month); The completion of safety upgrades at Bauple – some of the first projects to break ground; and The completion of flood resilience works at Dallachy Road, south of Tully.

The Curra rest area is one of the first projects announced under the $9bn Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, toward which the Albanese Government has committed $7.2 billion and the Crisafulli Government $1.8 billion. The upcoming release of 52 tenders for projects under the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program is the next major wave of works, with 40 construction and 12 design tenders to build momentum and support the delivery of safety upgrades.

The 52 tenders will progress more than 200 kilometres of wide centre line treatment, 100 kilometres of pavement strengthening, five new overtaking lanes, 13 intersection upgrades, two rest areas, and the replacement of three narrow bridges in Far North Queensland at Five Mile, Little Moresby, and Boobah creeks. The Central Queensland upgrades will create a more resilient Bruce with a road surface less prone to potholes, and more skid-resistant in wet weather, across 10 priority sections along the Bruce between Gin Gin and Bowen.

The now completed safety upgrades at Bauple will improve traffic flow and reduce crash risks, with a wider road, dedicated left and right-turn lanes at the Stratford Road intersection, dedicated right-turn lane at the Brooks Road intersection, with additional road widening between Chapmans and Stratford roads. These 52 tenders are in addition to the substantial program of works which will come to market in the next 12 months, including: Nine initial new overtaking lanes at various locations including between Gin Gin and Benaraby, Benaraby and Rockhampton and Townsville and Ingham More than 300km of wide centre line treatment More than 145km of pavement strengthening 23 intersection upgrades Two new rest areas near Kolanga, adding to the brand new Curra rest area and Granite Creek site under construction Replacement of eight narrow bridges between Ayr and Townsville and Ingham and Innisfail, including at Palm Creek, St Margaret Creek, Emmett Creek, Mackenzie Creek and Alligator Creek.

Flood resilience works on the Bruce Highway between Dallachy Road and south of Dean Road near Tully are now also complete. These improvements mean the flood resilience in this part of the Bruce is consistent with nearby sections, with modelling showing it will reduce the average yearly flood during by 40 per cent. Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King: “The Albanese Government is committed to improving safety on the Bruce Highway, and these latest tenders represent another significant step in delivering upgrades that will help save lives and support regional communities and industries.

“With a number of projects already completed and now these 52 new tenders coming to market, we are accelerating the rollout of critical safety upgrades along the Bruce.” Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg: “This next wave of tenders shows the program is continuing to move at full speed. The use of dedicated panels is streamlining procurement and giving industry the confidence it needs to keep crews on the ground.

“We told Queenslanders we are committed to fixing the Bruce and works are already making a real difference for motorists, regional communities and freight operators between Gympie and Cairns. “The works we’re carrying out across the Bruce not only enhance road safety but also support local jobs and businesses across our state.” Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland Anthony Chisholm: “The Albanese Government is delivering record investment to build a better Bruce Highway for Queenslanders.

“From here near Gympie and all the way up to Cairns, we are accelerating the delivery of intersection upgrades, rest area improvements, narrow bridge replacements, wide centre line treatments and pavement strengthening. “These works will make a real difference for drivers, freight operators and regional Queenslanders, and form part of a long-term pipeline of upgrades that will benefit the people who live here.” Quotes attributable to State Member for Gympie Tony Perrett: “With every dollar in the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program invested outside the South East Corner, the Crisafulli Government is building the infrastructure regional Queensland needs to support our growing population.

“We said we would deliver an upgraded Bruce Highway on an 80:20 split with the Australian Government, and we are getting on with delivering it.” FURTHER INFORMATION The 10 priority sections in Central Queensland: Gin Gin-Benaraby, from Kolan River to Skeleton Creek (in sections) Gin Gin-Benaraby, from Charnwood Road to Granite Creek Benaraby-Rockhampton, from Eight Mile Creek to Bajool Rockhampton-St Lawrence, from Kunwarara to Hutt Road (in sections) Rockhampton-St Lawrence, from Mount Bison Road to Tooloombah Creek St Lawrence-Mackay, at the southern entry to Mackay (in sections) St Lawrence-Mackay, at the northern and southern entries to Sarina Mackay-Proserpine, south of Glendaragh Road Mackay-Proserpine, from Marian Hampden Road to Hudsons Road (in sections) Proserpine-Bowen, from Greta Creek to Emu Creek (in sections).

Summary of tenders to be released 1 July 2026 – 30 June 2027: Contract description Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Takilberan Creek to Walily Creek - Kalpowar Road intersection sub-package Intersection upgrade and Heavy Vehicle Rest Area Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Walily Creek to E Claxton Road - E Claxton Road and Rickards Road intersection sub-package Intersection upgrade Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Maryborough – Gin Gin), Howard Turnoff to south of Doghole Creek Pavement strengthening Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Gin Gin to Carmans Road Pavement strengthening Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Curra to Davey Road Pavement strengthening (in sections) Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Maryborough – Gin Gin), Buxton Road to Butchers Road Wide centre line treatment and pavement strengthening Construction Wide Bay Burnett Bruce Highway (Gympie – Maryborough), Seven Mile Road to Four Mile Road Wide centre line treatment, pavement strengthening and intersection upgrades Construction Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), Fitzroy Street to Farm Street Pavement strengthening Construction Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), Raspberry Creek Road to Stanage Bay Road Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), north of Princhester Siding Road to Pine Mountain Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Christensen Road to Tannum Sands Road Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Tannum Sands Road Planning, design and construct wide centre line treatment and intersection upgrade Construction Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), north of Miriam Vale Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), north of Bororen Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), Twelve Mile Creek to Turkey Beach Road Bruce Highway (Gin Gin – Benaraby), north of Twenty Eight Mile Creek Planning, design and construct overtaking lanes Construction Bruce Highway (Benaraby – Rockhampton), Raglan to Port Alma intersection Bruce Highway (Benaraby – Rockhampton), south of Bajool Planning, design and construct wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Benaraby – Rockhampton), south of Gavial-Gracemere Road Planning, design and construct overtaking lane Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Rockhampton – St Lawrence), Heifer Creek to Waverley Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (St Lawrence – Mackay), Carmilla Creek to West Hill Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (St Lawrence – Mackay), Marion Creek to Rocky Dam Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Mackay Ring Road to Farleigh Pavement strengthening Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Farleigh to Habana Road Upgrade intersection Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Kochs Road to Six Mile Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), St Helens Overflow to Jumper Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Yalboroo to Bloomsbury Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Stockyards Access to Renwick Road Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Proserpine – Bowen), Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road to Gregory-Cannon Valley Road Safety upgrade Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Proserpine – Bowen), Adelaide Point Road to Don Street Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Big Jack Creek to Armstrong Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (St Lawrence – Mackay), Basin Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (St Lawrence – Mackay), Marion Creek to Rocky Dam Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (St Lawrence – Mackay), Sarina-Homebush Road to Perry Road Planning and design for pavement strengthening Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Kochs Road to Six Mile Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Six Mile Creek to Kitty Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Holdings Road to St Helens Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Mackay – Proserpine), Bloomsbury to O'Connell River Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Proserpine – Bowen), Ten Mile Creek to Greta Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Albeitz Road to Little Goodbye Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Little Goodbye Creek to Battery Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Willmington Rail Overpass to Guthalungra Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Mackay/Whitsunday Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Guthalungra to Big Jack Creek Planning and design for wide centre line treatment Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Burdekin Shire boundary to Old Bowen Road, various locations Wide centre line treatment and safety upgrades Construction Bruce Highway (Bowen – Ayr), Homestead Road to First Street, various locations Wide centre line treatment, upgrade intersection Construction Bruce Highway (Ayr – Townsville), Palm Creek to MacKenzie Creek, various locations Design and construct bridge replacement Construction Bruce Highway (Townsville – Ingham), Scrubview Road to Helens Hill, various locations Wide centre line treatment and safety upgrades Construction Bruce Highway (Townsville – Ingham), Yabulu to Bluewater Drive, various locations Wide centre line treatment and safety upgrades Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Poppi Road to Moresby River Planning, design and construct wide centre line treatment and upgrade bridges Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Tully-Mission Beach Road Upgrade intersection Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Bowder Creek to Damper Creek Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Liverpool Creek to Aldridge Road Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Nicholson Road to Five Mile Creek Wide centre line treatment and upgrade bridge Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Boogan Road to Mourilyan Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Ingham – Innisfail), Silkwood to Spanos Road Wide centre line treatment Construction Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns), Babinda to Deeral Wide centre line treatment and upgrade intersections Construction Bruce Highway (Innisfail – Cairns), Fishery Falls to Behana Creek Wide centre line treatment and upgrade intersections Construction For tender details, visit: https://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/business-industry/business-with-us/tenders-and-contracts/tenders