A $42.5 million safety upgrade has been announced for the Isis Highway between Bundaberg and the Bruce Highway as part of the State Government’s economic recovery plan.
In town today to announce the funding, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new investment would upgrade safety on the 40 km stretch as part of a four-year program.
He said the works would range from intersection upgrades and road widening to wide centre line treatments, the installation of safety barriers and removal of roadside hazards.
“Truckies, families and businesses rely on the Isis and Bruce Highways every day, which is why we’re delivering $20 million in Bruce upgrades north of Childers and now we’re getting on with more than $40 million to improve safety on what is one of the main links to Bundaberg,” Mr Bailey said.
“With funding locked it means we’ll be able to start planning now and get works started as early as next year.”
Bundaberg Regional Council Mayor Jack Dempsey welcomed the funding to improve safety on the Isis Highway.
“The Isis Highway is one of the main entry points to the region and a key connector for Childers residents,” Mayor Dempsey said.
“Vehicle numbers on this stretch of road have been growing alongside our community.
“This significant project will increase safety and I know will be welcomed by many residents, especially those who make the daily commute.”
In addition to delivering safety upgrades, Mr Bailey said the project would support jobs in the region as it turns around from COVID-19.
“Queenslanders have been at the forefront of this pandemic, managing the health impacts and keeping community transmission away from places like Bundaberg,” Mr Bailey said.
“Because of that, we’ve been able to lock in more funding on top of our $1.9 billion roads and transport investment in the region to get jobs going as part of Queensland’s plan for economic recovery.”
The announcement today builds on funding committed for overtaking lanes on the Isis Highway, $13.5 million for Bargara Road and $5 million announced earlier this year for road upgrades across Bundaberg including:
- $1.15 million to install traffic signals at the Bundaberg-Port Road and Ashfield Road intersection, Ashfield
- $576,000 to install dedicated left and right-turn lanes at the Isis Highway and Kingston Town Way intersection, Branyan
- $555,000 to install dedicated left and right-turn lanes on the Isis Highway at the Park Estate Drive intersection, Branyan
- $376,000 to install a dedicated left-turn lane at the Isis Highway and University Drive intersection, Branyan
- $495,000 to install dedicated right-turn lanes at the Bundaberg-Miriam Vale Road and Quinns Road intersection, Bucca
- $696,500 to install traffic signals for multiple, left-turn, slip lanes in Bundaberg
- $238,000 to install guardrails on the Isis Highway at Kullogum
- $376,000 to widen sealed shoulders and provide audio tactile line marking on Gin Gin Road at Oakwood
- $458,000 to install dedicated left and right-turn lanes at the Bundaberg-Miriam Vale Road and Winfield Road intersection, Winfield
See more information about the Targeted Road Safety Program here.
