Early works have started on the A$624m ($455m) Cooroy to Curra Section C project south of Gympie as part of the Bruce Highway upgrade in Queensland, Australia.
As part of the works, the existing highway between Woondum Road and the Six Mile Creek rest area will be widened.
The early works also involve installing left and right-turn lanes at the Keefton Road and Six Mile Creek rest area intersections, as well as building entry lanes to provide safe access to the Gold Nugget Service Station.
“The Bruce Highway is critical to the Queensland and national economies and this project will bolster economic productivity, reduce travel times and enhance road safety.”
The Bruce Highway upgrade was a major component of the Australian Government’s Infrastructure Investment Programme.
Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development and member for Wide Bay Warren Truss said: “These early works have been prioritised because of the high accident rate on this section of the highway, with 82 crashes and seven fatalities occurring between 2000 and 2010.”
“The Australian and Queensland Governments are working together to deliver jobs and enhance safety, productivity and economic growth.
“The Bruce Highway is critical to the Queensland and national economies and this project will bolster economic productivity, reduce travel times and enhance road safety.”
Works on this project are expected to be completed by mid-2016.
The project is being jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments, with contributions of A$499.4m ($364m) and A$124.9m ($91m) respectively.
Works will also include a Safer Roads Sooner project to upgrade the access point for Gympie’s busiest industrial estate located to the south of the city.
The project will also see an upgrade of the Venardos Avenue intersection which provides access to the industrial estate.
Detailed design work for the remainder of the project is currently underway, while major works are expected to start early next year.