Safety upgrades are kicking off on the Bruce Highway between Ten Mile Creek at Proserpine and Yeates Creek at Bowen.
Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development Barnaby Joyce said the $44 million safety works are funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis as part of the Bruce Highway Upgrade Program (BHUP).
"This project is another example of George Christensen's determination to deliver for people of this region, to make sure the infrastructure they need and deserve is funded and delivered," the Deputy Prime Minister said.
"This is also the Federal Liberal and Nationals Government's record $110 billion infrastructure investment plan in action, helping to connect communities and improve safety, while creating jobs and supporting our economic recovery.
"The Federal Government is investing over $10 billion in a safer, smoother and more reliable Bruce Highway. This will benefit Queenslanders, from Brisbane to Cairns, on this key north-south route."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project was one of many being delivered between Cairns and Caboolture under the jointly funded $13 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program.
"We're making excellent progress on the pipeline of projects up and down the Bruce Highway, with 154 projects in delivery, including 48 under construction right now," Mr Bailey said.
"That pipeline gives local workers and businesses certainty that funding will continue to flow into their local economies and is an important part of Queensland's Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan."
Federal Member for Dawson George Christensen said the $44 million upgrades would deliver safety improvements to nearly 13 kilometres of Bruce Highway between Ten Mile Creek and Yeates Creek.
The project will widen the highway to install wide centre-line treatments, reducing the potential for head-on collisions," Mr Christensen said.
"This investment will also offer long-term economic benefits and important construction jobs in the short term."
Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said BMD Construction Pty Ltd have been awarded the contract to deliver the upgrades.
"The safety projects are funded under the Palaszczuk Government's record $27.5 billion roads and transport investment over four years, which is creating 24,000 jobs, and helping to drive Queensland's economic recovery," Mr Saunders said.
"This investment includes $1.14 billion allocated specifically to the Mackay/Whitsunday District, estimated to support around 1,060 direct jobs.
"Some of the key projects being delivered across the Mackay/Whitsunday District include the $120 million Mackay Northern Access Upgrade, $39 million Bruce Highway safety upgrade between Mackay and Proserpine, and $37 million Proserpine-Shute Harbour Road duplication and intersection upgrades."
These three upgrades are also funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.
The Australian Government is providing $35.2 million and the Queensland Government $8.8 million to fund the $44 million Ten Mile Creek and Yeates Creek works.
