Bruce Highway Travel To Be Safer, Quicker With High-Tech Funding Boost

Improvements in safety, efficiency and reliability along a busy local stretch of the Bruce Highway are expected following the allocation of $84 million towards the installation of Smart Motorways technology between the Pine River and Caloundra Road as part of the 15-year, $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.

The technology includes ramp signals, variable speed limit and message signs, vehicle detection systems and CCTV cameras to proactively monitor and respond to changing road conditions such as crashes, wet weather or heavy traffic conditions in real time.

“Better technology on our roads means better outcomes for drivers,” said Federal Member for Longman Terry Young. “We are investing in initiatives that will keep people safe behind the wheel and get them home to their family and loved ones sooner. This technology will help ensure Queenslanders travelling on this busy section of highway remain safe on the road.”

Federal Member for Fisher Andrew Wallace said the project would create more jobs for locals and deliver an economic boost to the area.

“Stage two will also link to several other Bruce Highway projects, which all incorporate Smart Motorways technology, including the $163 million Deception Bay Road Interchange upgrade, the $662.5 million six-lane project between Caboolture-Bribie Island Road and Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163), and the $932 million upgrade between Caloundra Road and the Sunshine Motorway,” Mr Wallace said.

“This upgrade is also keeping more people in work on the Sunshine Coast, by supporting an average of

140 jobs over its life.”

Major works are expected to begin early next year (2022), weather and construction conditions permitting.

The $105 million Bruce Highway – Managed Motorways Stage 2 – (Pine River to Caloundra Road) project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with the Australian Government contributing $84 million and the Queensland Government providing $21 million.