Bruce Highway motorists will benefit from safer and faster travel at Tinana with the completion of new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said this $20.1 million project is part of the Australian Government's commitment to improve the Bruce Highway by reducing congestion and increasing motorists' safety.
"The completion of this fully federally funded project, as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, is providing motorists with safer opportunities to pass, reduced travel times and improved highway traffic flow," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"Besides the new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes, the Iindah Road West entry and exit ramps have been realigned and a safety barrier has been installed between the overtaking lanes to protect oncoming traffic."
Federal Member for Wide Bay and Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Llew O'Brien said the works provide a significant safety boost for local drivers, tourists and freight operators, and help open up Maryborough's economy for growth.
"The new northbound and southbound dual overtaking lanes allow drivers to overtake slower vehicles safely, improving traffic efficiency, and create a free-flowing link to meet current and future traffic demand along this busy section of the Bruce Highway," Mr O'Brien said.
"This upgrade supported 50 jobs throughout construction and will provide an ongoing boost to local jobs by improving access to Maryborough and the Fraser Coast.
"While these overtaking lanes have been fully funded by the Liberal and Nationals Government, the Queensland Government managed the project. I announced funding for the project on 12 January 2018 and work was supposed to commence later that year.
"But instead, the Queensland Government didn't commence work until the end of 2020. It's been a long time in the making, but local motorists and businesses can now benefit from this safer section of highway."
Mr O'Brien said the Tinana overtaking lanes form part of a $1.198 billion commitment from the Morrison-Joyce Government to upgrade the Bruce Highway through Wide Bay.
"The Federal Liberal Nationals Government is contributing $800 million to the Gympie bypass, a new 26km four-lane divided highway from Woondum to Curra, and construction is well underway. An 11km section of highway between Maryborough and Torbanlea is now being upgraded with $82.4 million from the Federal Government, and we have $26.6 million to improve safety along the highway at Gootchie.
"We also have $269 million available to the Queensland Government right now for the 9km four-lane Tiaro bypass.
"These investments will help open up Wide Bay's economy to create jobs and support heavy industry and manufacturing, and make travel on the highway smoother, faster and safer."
