Bruce Bridge Replacements Among Next Wave Of Highway Upgrades

Member for Burdekin and Shadow Minister for Rural & Regional Affairs Dale Last stands next to the Bruce Highway in 2024.

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Five narrow bridges north and south of Ayr are set for replacement as part of the next stage of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.

The Federal and Queensland governments this week announced 52 new tenders for design and construction works along the Bruce Highway, with projects affecting more than 200 kilometres of roadway across the state.

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Among the North Queensland works slated for the coming year are bridge replacements at Palm Creek, St Margaret Creek, Emmett Creek, Mackenzie Creek and Alligator Creek between Ayr and Townsville, alongside further safety upgrades, pavement strengthening and overtaking lanes.

The announcement comes as 11 projects under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program have now been completed, while work continues on another 46 projects. A further 10 projects have recently commenced, with almost 60 more expected to begin progressively from 2026.

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Over the next 12 months, the program will deliver more than 300 kilometres of wide centre-line treatment, more than 145 kilometres of pavement strengthening, 23 intersection upgrades and two new rest areas.

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Federal Infrastructure Minister Catherine King said the release of 52 additional tenders demonstrated the scale of the program.

"The Albanese Government is committed to improving safety on the Bruce Highway, and these latest tenders represent another significant step in delivering upgrades that will help save lives and support regional communities and industries,"Ms King said.

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Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the next wave of projects showed the program was continuing to move ahead at pace.

"We told Queenslanders we are committed to fixing the Bruce and works are already making a real difference for motorists, regional communities and freight operators between Gympie and Cairns," Mr Mickelberg said.

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The Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program is jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis and is expected to deliver projects through to 2030.

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