The Palaszczuk Government has announced an additional $42.5 million for the Isis Highway between Bundaberg and the Bruce Highway as part of Queensland's economic recovery plan.
Locking in the funding today, Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the new investment would upgrade safety on the 40km stretch as part of a four-year program also 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.
"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 the works would range from intersections upgrades and road widening to wide centre line treatments, the installation of safety barriers and removal of roadside hazards.
"With funding locked it means we'll be able to start planning now and get works started as early as next year.
Mr Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government's investment was in stark contrast to the LNP who cut $1.6 billion from Queensland roads and sacked 20 per cent of Transport and Main Roads workers.
The announcement today builds on funding committed as part of the Palaszczuk Government's budget 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
