A concept design for the Tiaro Bypass has now been completed, which shows how a new four-lane section of the Bruce Highway east of Tiaro could look.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the bypass will address safety, flood immunity and traffic efficiency issues, and cater for current and future traffic demand on the Bruce Highway.
"The draft concept design includes nine kilometres of new, four-lane highway, a concrete centre median, interchanges north and south of Tiaro, and improved highway flood immunity," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"The Australian Government is investing over $10 billion in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway. This will benefit Queenslanders, from Brisbane to Cairns, on this key north-south route."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project would be delivered as part of the Palaszczuk Government's sixth record roads and transport budget.
"We are delivering nearly $1.8 billion of road and transport infrastructure over the next four years in the Wide Bay, Burnett and South West regions, including the $336 million Tiaro Bypass," Mr Bailey said.
"A big part of delivering major infrastructure like this is ensuring our plans meet the expectations and needs of the community.
"That's why consulting with local stakeholders, like the Tiaro Community Working Group, has been such an important part of the planning process.
"A number of key project features have been influenced by feedback from the working group, who have done an excellent job in representing the interests of the local Tiaro community and businesses."
Federal Member for Wide Bay Llew O'Brien said the four-lane Tiaro Bypass that the community fought for will be a much-needed investment in road safety and will help open up the Fraser Coast economy.
"It's important that this new section of the Bruce Highway is built to meet community expectations, now and into the future," Mr O'Brien said.
"I encourage everyone to look closely at the design and the access points, and consider how traffic will flow both through and around Tiaro.
"Our joint investment in Tiaro will support an estimated 490 direct jobs over the life of the project, and when completed the new section of highway will support agriculture, heavy industry and manufacturing by enabling the safe and efficient transportation of produce and goods from our region.
"This is another example of the Australian Government's record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan directly benefitting Wide Bay residents and visitors by helping connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.
"As we approach another busy holiday period with long traffic queues forming around Tiaro I know the community will be looking forward to the delivery of this project to fix this dangerous stretch of highway as soon as possible."
Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said planning was now underway.
"A business case report detailing the project scope, cost and expected timeframes will now be undertaken, before we move into the detailed design phase," Mr Saunders said.
"The detailed design phase also includes preparation of construction contracts and drawings, and detailed cost estimates.
"It's at that point we will understand when we can get on with construction of this important bypass, which will improve flood immunity, safety and traffic efficiency."
The Tiaro Bypass project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 (federal/state) basis.
The $336 million investment is estimated to support an average of 490 direct jobs over the life of the project.
