A major $50 million upgrade is set to strengthen a flood-prone stretch of the Bruce Highway between Ingham and Innisfail, improving safety, drainage, and reliability for North Queensland motorists.
Detailed designs have been finalised for the Gairloch to Ripple Creek section near the Seymour River, with the project expected to go out to tender in the coming months. Construction is scheduled to begin next year.
The resilience works will include reconstructing the highway to a higher standard, widening the road, installing wide centreline treatments, and replacing ageing culverts to improve drainage. The goal is to reduce the frequency and duration of closures during the disaster season, keeping communities and supply routes open for longer.
The project forms part of the $450 million Queensland Resilience and Risk Reduction Program (QRRRP), jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements and administered by the Queensland Reconstruction Authority.
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain said the Australian Government is investing in practical upgrades that strengthen essential connections in the north.
“These works on the Bruce Highway will make a real difference for North Queenslanders who rely on this route for essential travel, supplies and emergency access,” Minister McBain said.
“By replacing ageing culverts and strengthening the pavement, we’re ensuring this stretch of highway can better withstand the floods that impact the region year after year.”
Queensland Minister for Disaster Recovery Ann Leahy said delivering resilient infrastructure is a key priority for the Crisafulli Government.
“Betterment projects like this are smart investments in our state’s future, using the lessons we’ve learned from past disasters to strengthen us for the future,” Minister Leahy said.
“Our upgrades to the Bruce Highway will be transformational for our state and benefit every Queenslander, particularly in our regions and the north.”
“We can’t stop severe weather from occurring, but we can improve our resilience to its impacts, and that’s what these Gairloch to Ripple Creek road improvements are all about.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said the works represent a long-term investment in the reliability of North Queensland’s most important transport corridor.
“We are committed to building stronger infrastructure, making sure Queensland is better prepared for disasters in the future,” Minister Mickelberg said.
“For more than a decade this section of road has been a choke point as it floods regularly during the storm season and holds up logistics, so we are going to deliver the road improvements the region has been asking for.”
“Workers will be on-site in the next year building a more durable stretch of road that ensures safer and more reliable travel on the Bruce Highway while reducing the time and cost of road closures and repair works.”
This upgrade follows the $48 million Gairloch Floodway project, also funded by the Australian Government and currently in the design phase. Meanwhile, both levels of government are working together to finalise the scope of a further $205 million in betterment funding to strengthen the Bruce Highway and other key regional roads damaged during this year’s extreme rainfall.
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