Work kicks off at Sandy Gully
We've turned the sod to mark the commencement of work on the Sandy Gully Bridge upgrade north of Bowen today, and this $57 million project will improve safety and flood immunity on this 3.7 kilometre stretch of the Bruce Highway.The project will create in excess of 100 jobs, and I was happy to see this work was awarded to a Mackay-based business, Vassallo Constructions.This section of the Bruce Highway floods regularly in bad weather and closures can seriously impact on drivers in the region.
Tenders called for flood-proofing project on the Bruce
WORK is now at the tender stage for the $57 million Bruce Highway – Sandy Gully Bridge Upgrade north of Bowen, as we deliver a road able to withstand a once-in-50-year flood event.This particular section of the Bruce Highway is regularly closed during bad weather, with wide-ranging effects on surrounding residents and motorists passing through the region.Making this section of highway more flood resistant will have significant benefits for the safety of motorists and the wellbeing of communities at risk of being isolated by flood waters.It’s also a project which will provide 107 direct jobs over the life of the project, so we can look forward to these jobs coming on line in the very near future.
On road to progress
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.
A safer Bruce Highway around Townsville
COMPLETION of the $137.5 million upgrade to Townsville's stretch of the Bruce Highway is one step closer, with an overpass of the North Coast Rail Line at Cluden officially opened today.I joined Federal Member for Herbert Ewen Jones and State Member for Thuringowa Aaron Harper at Cluden to celebrate this major infrastructure milestone, which was opened to traffic last week.Being four lanes, this will improve driver safety and traffic flow by eliminating the existing level crossing at Cluden.In another major milestone for the project, the new southbound Stuart Creek Bridge has also been opened to traffic and work is almost complete on the Hunter Street intersection upgrade.
$33 million for Yellow Gin Creek Bridge upgrade
WHILE visiting the Burdekin to open the $50 million Sandy Corner to Collinsons Lagoon upgrade, the Acting Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss announced the approval of $33 million in Liberal National Government funding to construct the Yellow Gin Creek bridge and approaches south of Ayr.This is another huge infrastructure boost for the Burdekin.It will increase safety and connectivity on this 1.6km stretch for freight vehicles, tourists and local motorists by improving safety and flood immunity at the creek crossing.
$50 million upgrade provides smooth ride
It has been my pleasure today to join with Deputy Prime Minister Warren Truss to officially open the $50 million Sandy Corner to Collinsons Lagoon upgrade north of the Burdekin.This project has delivered significant improvements to safety, flood immunity and freight efficiency on the Bruce Highway, benefitting more than 7,000 vehicles each day.We've also provided jobs for 65 workers during its construction.