- Concept design complete for the Mackay-Bucasia Road and Golf Links Road intersection, with detailed design now underway.
- Project part of the Crisafulli Government's commitment to easing congestion and getting Queenslanders home sooner and safer.
- Part of the Crisafulli Government's plan to deliver the roads and infrastructure for a growing population after Labor's decade of decline.
The Crisafulli Government has taken a major step on its commitment to ease congestion of Mackay's Northern Beaches with detailed design underway for the Mackay-Bucasia Road and Golf Links Road intersection upgrade.
The design will aim to improve traffic flow and address current congestion and travel times on Mackay's Northern Beaches.
The proposed design scope includes traffic signalisation on all four entry points of the roundabout with CCTV and sensors that detect queues and activate the signals to assist with congestion during peak hour periods.
It will also include new turn lanes onto Mackay-Habana Road and Mackay-Bucasia Road north approaches, and a new additional left turn lane on Golf Links Road.
Progress on a major bottleneck for Mackay's Northern Beaches comes after a decade of decline under the former Labor Government, which saw a chronic underinvestment into the roads needed to help locals spend more time at home and less time in traffic.
Engagement with key stakeholders will continue to ensure integration of traffic priorities for both the state-controlled and local government road network.
Construction is scheduled to commence in early-2027, following the wet season.
Premier David Crisafulli said the project would make real, tangible impacts on growing communities frustrated by congestion.
"Congestion along Mackay–Bucasia Road has been a long-standing frustration for Northern Beaches residents, with families and commuters spending too much time stuck in traffic each day," Premier Crisafulli said.
"We are delivering the roads and infrastructure that supports regional communities, and today's milestone backs that promise, with works planned to start after the wet season.
"This intersection upgrade is an important step in improving traffic flow along this critical corridor and delivering a safer, more commuter friendly route for the growing Northern Beaches community."
Acting Minister for Transport and Main Roads Sam O'Connor said the intersection was an important step to keep traffic moving.
"Throughout their decade of decline, the former Labor Government allowed congestion on Mackay-Bucasia Road to worsen, and failed to deliver the investment to fix it," Minister O'Connor said.
"Our approach addresses the unique characteristics of this intersection which sees far more vehicles moving through the roundabout on the way to-and-from work, and far fewer vehicles during the day.
"The signalised roundabout is a first in the Mackay region but is used across Australia to help keep traffic flowing at busy roundabouts and relieve congestion."
Member for Whitsunday Amanda Camm said she was proud to be delivering on her election commitment.
"I've long fought for an upgrade to the Mackay-Bucasia Road and Golf Links Road intersection, and at the last election, we promised the Crisafulli Government would deliver it," Ms Camm said.
"This solution is right for our community and will help relieve the congestion faced by commuters from the Northern Beaches everyday."
Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton said the upgrades would improve safety and ease congestion for commuters.
"Easing congestion from the Northern Beaches into Mackay will mean that those who work in Mackay have a safer and more convenient journey to and from work," Mr Dalton said.
"The Crisafulli Government is always looking at ways to make it safer to get to and from your destination on our road network after a decade of decline."
