Drivers face major change in highway upgrade

Drivers heading south on the Bruce Highway will be switched to a new, wider road between Six Mile Creek and Pumicestone Rd in the next week.

Shortly following that will be the opening of the realigned Steve Irwin Way southbound entry ramp to the Bruce Highway.

Once complete, the new ramp will flow directly to an additional third lane of the highway, improving safety and traffic flow.

These milestones follow Friday’s switch of northbound Bruce Highway traffic onto the new southbound carriageway between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Pumicestone Road.

The temporary diversion will be in place until early 2023 to allow work to begin on building three northbound lanes and two bridges.

“Our investment will transform what has been one of the most flood-prone and congested sections of the highway into a wider, safer and more flood resilient carriageway,” Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said.

State Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey added: “Widening this stretch between Caboolture and Beerburrum plays a key role in keeping traffic on Queensland’s longest and busiest highway flowing.”

State Member for Pumicestone Ali King said: “Some of the original bridges at these locations were underwater during the unpresented and ongoing rainfall we experienced earlier this year.

“We’ll have bigger, stronger and higher bridges in their places.”

The $662.5 million Bruce Highway Upgrade is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $530 million and Queensland Government committing $132.5 million.

This project will widen the 11km stretch of the Bruce Highway from four to six lanes between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163).

It is expected to be completed in late 2023, weather and construction conditions permitting, and will support an average of 664 direct jobs over its life.

For more information, visit tmr.qld.gov.au/C2SIW.

For up-to-date information on road works and conditions, visit qld.traffic.qld.gov.au