| Project Detail |
This section of the Bruce Highway closes, on average, every 1 to 2 years, significantly affecting locals, tourists, transport operators, and other motorists.
Once these upgrades are completed, the severity and frequency of closures will be greatly reduced (from an average of 55 hours to between 15 and 22 hours in a 1-in-50 year weather event.
The floodplain is impacted by a variety of factors and is considered among the most complex in Queensland.
As part of the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade project we will:
replace the Horseshoe Lagoon, Pink Lily and Haughton River bridges with new, wider, higher-level bridges
build new crossings of Healey’s Lagoon and the Reed Beds curve
upgrade 13.5km of the Bruce Highway (on approach to, and between the bridges), in some areas on a new alignment
construct 2 highway overpasses of open-level cane tramway crossings, removing interactions between highway and cane traffic
upgrade rural intersections within the project area to improve safety
install wide centre line treatments (similar to other, recent Bruce Highway projects) to increase the distance between oncoming lanes of traffic and reduce the risk of head-on collisions.
This project is part of the 10-year Bruce Highway Upgrade Program, an $8.5 billion program of works to improve safety, flood resilience and capacity along the Bruce Highway from Brisbane to Cairns. The program is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with the Australian Government contributing up to $6.7 billion and the Queensland Government contributing up to $1.8 billion.
Local participation
An average of 544 direct jobs will be supported over the life of the project.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads is committed to maximising opportunities for local business and people to get involved in delivering the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade project. Construction contractor The Infrastructure Group will also adhere to the requirements of the Queensland Procurement Policy 2017 while delivering the upgrades.
To register your interest in supplying or working on the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade project, contact us using the details below.
Project timeline
2015 to 2017: planning studies for the Haughton River Floodplain Upgrade project; community consultation.
May 2017: tenders called for design and construction.
March 2018: design and construct contract awarded to The Infrastructure Group; design commenced.
August 2018: start of preliminary works onsite as part of the project.
April 2019: start of major construction works.
Mid-2021: project construction complete (weather and construction program permitting). |
