- Three lanes of traffic are now open and flowing on the southbound section of the Bruce Highway between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Pumicestone Road, Elimbah.
- This includes two new southbound bridges at King Johns Creek and Lagoon Creek, with both new bridges 1.5-metres higher than the old structures, significantly improving flood immunity.
- With the northbound lanes also opening last month, a temporary 100km/h speed limit is now in place both northbound and southbound on this section of the highway. The speed limit will be permanently increased to 110km/h through this section once the whole upgrade project, up to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163), is completed in early 2024.
The Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163) has reached another key milestone, with three lanes now open to north and southbound traffic between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Pumicestone Road, Elimbah.
The $662.5 million upgrade is jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $530 million and the Queensland Government committing $132.5 million.
The entire 11-kilometre upgrade is expected to be completed in early 2024, weather and construction conditions permitting. An average of 664 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the project.
Quotes attributable to the Australian Minister for Infrastructure Catherine King:
"The Australian Government's investment is making a real difference to the safety, flood resilience and capacity of vital infrastructure.
"This upgrade project is part of the 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, which will transform travel between Brisbane and Cairns.
"Widening this stretch between Caboolture and Beerburrum will keep traffic flowing on Queensland's longest and busiest highway."
Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
"With major construction for the first of the two contracts now complete, 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.
"This milestone 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."
Quotes attributable to Member for Morayfield, Mark Ryan
"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,
"With a total of ten new bridges, including two new three-lane northbound bridges that are 1.5-metres higher at King Johns and Lagoon creeks, the highway will be more resilient during significant wet weather events."
Quotes attributable to the Member for Pumicestone, Ali King
"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.
"Some minor finalisation works will be completed over the coming weeks.
"The second contract is on track to finish in early 2024, following weather and construction industry impacts.
"We are transforming what was previously the most flood-prone stretch of highway between Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast."
Project web page: www.tmr.qld.gov.au/C2SIW.
