On road to progress

OCTOBER 29, 2015: Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss joined me to inspect progress on the $13.8 million Showgrounds intersection upgrade in Mackay today. This is one of many safety related projects included in the $241.8 million Bruce Highway – Black Spots programme, and it's another significant improvement which is nearing completion. “The Bruce Highway forms a key transport link along the east coast of Australia, connecting small towns with major cities, as well as suppliers with domestic and international markets,” Mr Truss said.  The other key project in the pipeline for the Mackay region is the $565 million Mackay Ring Road which will support 600 jobs, and is currently in the design phase. We are also seeing further Bruce Highway investment in surrounding areas.

• $153.5 million has been spent on the Vantassel to Cluden duplication project, which is improving the southern approach to Townsville.
• The $45 million Yellow Gin Creek Bridge upgrade near Ayr will upgrade particularly dangerous sections of road along the Bruce Highway, with completion expected in mid-2019.
•  The Coalition Government has committed $160 million towards the $200 million Townsville Ring Road Section 4 project, which commenced construction earlier this year.
• South of Mackay, $136 million has been committed towards the $170 million Yeppen Floodplain Upgrade project.
• In the west, tenders for the Eton Range upgrade are currently being considered. The Coalition Government is committing $166 million to this vital project to improve safety on the Peak Downs Highway.

More information on the Bruce Highway Upgrade Programme can be found at http://investment.infrastructure.gov.au/funding/projects/brucehighway.aspx