- Palaszczuk Government kickstarts works on the Inland Freight Route, also known as the Second Bruce, through $107 million early works package.
- Package will include priority upgrades along the critical freight route, brought forward by accelerated Queensland funding.
- This lays the foundation for major works as part of the $1 billion Inland Freight Route.
The Palaszczuk Government is powering forward with its commitment to the Inland Freight Route by kickstarting the necessary early works now.
The 1185-kilometre Inland Freight Route will establish a viable north-south alternative to the Bruce Highway (known as the Second Bruce) forming a critical freight corridor between Mungindi and Charters Towers.
Queensland is honouring it's 80:20 commitment to the project, with $200 million allocated towards the critical project.
More than half of the State Government commitment is now on the table to accelerate early works delivery.
This is kickstarted by a $19.7 million bridge upgrade over the Dawson River, north of Injune, that will widen the existing bridge from 7.4 metres to 10.3 metres.
Works will also realign the bridge approaches to improve safety and accessibility for heavy vehicles. This is the first of two bridge upgrades between Injune and Rolleston.
The $107 million early works package will focus on addressing constraints north of Injune, and constraints in the vicinity of Belyando, including:
- two bridge upgrades between Injune and Rolleston on the Carnarvon Highway
- major culvert upgrades between Roma and Injune on the Carnarvon Highway
- two road strengthening and widening projects (in sections) between Clermont and Charters Towers on the Gregory Developmental Road in the vicinity of Belyando.
This builds on $109 million in jointly funded upgrades recently delivered on the Inland Freight Route and key feeder roads, as part of the Roads of Strategic Importance program and road economic stimulus packages.
Quotes attributable to Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk:
"Building the Second Bruce is essential as Queensland population continues to boom.
"It will provide an alternative route for truckies and keep communities connected during major flood events.
"Our government wants to see this critical freight corridor built, so we're honoring our commitment to this project and getting works started now.
"We are calling on the Federal Government to keep their commitment to the Inland Freight Route and honour the 80:20 agreed funding arrangement.
"It's only right that Queensland gets its fair share – no more, no less."
Quotes attributable to the Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey:
"Bringing forward the Queensland portion of funding for the Inland Freight Route between Mundgindi and Charters Towers is vital.
"The Bruce Highway is the single most important highway in the country.
"By building a better Inland Freight Route targeted at taking trucks off the Bruce, we are ensuring strong supply chains and driving economic growth for regional industries and communities.
"Not only that, upgrades will improve connectivity and safety to help keep our state moving with a viable alternative to the Bruce Highway.
"Our vast state has the largest regional road network in the nation; any proposed changes from 80:20 funding to 50:50 will have a serious impact on our regional communities."
