Work has started on the $19 million D'Aguilar Highway safety improvement project between Sandy Creek and Kilcoy.
The project is jointly funded, with the Australian Government contributing $15.2 million towards the project and the remaining $3.8 million provided by the Queensland Government.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the Australian Government's funding was part of its $1.5 billion infrastructure investment response to COVID-19, announced in June 2020.
"Targeted Road Safety Works projects such as this are helping the Australian economy to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic by creating jobs and strengthening transport connections," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This much-needed safety improvement project will also protect drivers on this stretch of road, reducing the potential for head-on, rear-end and run-off-road crashes.
"It is one of many road infrastructure projects being rolled out across Queensland, delivering important maintenance and safety improvements to the roads Queenslanders rely on."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the Palaszczuk Government was committed to improving safety on Queensland's regional roads.
"As part of our record $27.5 billion road and transport plan, we are delivering $17.8 billion worth of projects across regional Queensland to get locals home sooner and safer than before," Mr Bailey said.
"Connecting the Bruce Highway to the Caboolutre, Wamuran, Woodford and Kilcoy communities, the D'Aguilar Highway is an important link in our state's road network - which is why this safety project is critical for the 7,800 drivers who use it each day.
"We will be targeting these improvements at locations with a known crash history to ensure the ongoing safety of locals and tourists alike.
"The D'Aguilar Highway will also be widened to accommodate a wide centre line treatment, which provides greater separation between vehicles travelling in opposite directions and plays an important part in reducing the likelihood of head-on crashes.
"Construction has now begun and will continue until late-2022 - supporting over 60 local jobs at a time it is needed most."
Federal Member for Longman Terry Young said one life lost on Australian roads was too many.
"The Australian Government is committed to keeping our communities safe and improving road safety, while securing the nation's economic recovery," Mr Young said.
"Key works on this project will include widening from west of Neurum Road to Sandy Creek Road and from Arnolds Road North to west of Scrubby Creek, installing a wide centre line treatment, extending and replacing culverts, and shoulder widening. New safety barriers and signage will also be installed, along with vegetation management."
Senator for Queensland Paul Scarr said the D'Aguilar Highway was a vital link to the Bruce Highway and the coast for rural businesses and communities of South Burnett and Brisbane Valley.
"Used by nearly 8,000 (eight thousand) vehicles a day, the highway has a poor crash record, with two lives lost as a result of a head-on smash last week," Senator Scarr said.
