May 16, 2017
The intersection of the Wide Bay and Bruce highways at Bells Bridge will get an $11.2 million upgrade.
Member for Wide Bay Llew O’Brien and Resources Minister Senator Matt Canavan announced the project on Tuesday morning.
Mr O’Brien said the upgrade would improve safety at the intersection by separating traffic movements and allowing continuity of flow for southbound Bruce Highway traffic.
About 12,100 vehicles use the intersection every day, including more than 2000 heavy vehicles.
The intersection currently can experience long delays during peak periods, which can cause some drivers to become impatient and take unnecessary risks, Mr O’Brien said.
“This upgrade will reduce delays for traffic turning right, improve travel times for freight and general traffic, and most importantly, make the intersection safer for all drivers,” Mr O’Brien said.
More than 90 per cent of the eastbound traffic on the Wide Bay Highway turns right (south) at the intersection with the Bruce Highway, heading towards Gympie.
“The number of vehicles travelling through Gympie has reached 25,000 per day and is increasing. So I am continuing to push the importance of the Section D Cooroy to Curra project, as well as upgrades between Gympie and Maryborough, with Transport Minister Darren Chester,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The upgrade to the Wide Bay Highway interchange is a much needed step forward in both safety and traffic management, and the good work must continue by fast-tracking the funding and construction of additional projects in Wide Bay to prevent more lives from being lost on this notorious stretch.”
