Bruce Highway, connecting the far north to the south east via Kybong through Bald Hills, is once again in focus as new data emphasises the pressing need for upgrades to this vital Queensland roadway.
The latest analysis from the Royal Automobile Club of Queensland (RACQ) reveals that motorists travelling on the Bruce Highway are five times more likely to be injured or killed in a crash than those driving on major interstate highways. This alarming statistic underscores the pressing need for substantial investment and improvements.
The recent double fatality near Innisfail and a tragic bus crash between Bowen and Ayr, which claimed three lives, have intensified the focus on the highway’s safety. These incidents are among the many that have prompted major stakeholders to demand a 10-year funding plan to eliminate all two-star sections of the Bruce Highway urgently.
Bruce Highway needs to improve safety standards compared to highways such as the Hume and Pacific, which link Sydney and Melbourne. According to RACQ’s analysis, the entirety of the Bruce Highway is, on average, three times more dangerous than the Pacific Highway, with some sections up to 10 times worse.
RACQ’s research indicates that critical improvements to the Hume and Pacific Highways, including the installation of dual carriageways, have drastically reduced head-on crash risks—head-on collisions account for more than half of the fatalities on the Bruce Highway. Despite this, over 1,398 kilometres of the Bruce Highway remain single-lane and undivided, contributing to a severe and fatal injury crash rate three times higher than the Pacific Highway.
Notable trouble spots include the stretches between Childers and Gin Gin, Sarina and Mackay, and Mackay and Prosperine. The danger is further exacerbated by a need for adequate rest areas, making it difficult for drivers to adhere to recommended safety practices such as taking breaks every 200 kilometres.
Local stakeholders, including the Queensland Farmer’s Federation and the Queensland Trucking Association, have joined the call for action, citing the highway’s critical role in connecting farmers to southern markets and supporting the state’s tourism industry. The highway’s susceptibility to flooding further complicates access to key destinations, often cutting off communities and stifling economic activity.
In response to these concerns, the state government has promised to provide AusRAP data to the Australian Government from 2025 onwards and has released a 15-year Vision and Action Plans for the Bruce Highway. However, the situation’s urgency demands immediate action, with stakeholders pushing for a funding model to ensure the highway meets modern safety standards as soon as possible.
Queensland’s Opposition Leader, David Crisafulli, has vowed to secure an 80/20 funding split with the Federal Government to ensure the completion of the Bruce Highway if elected in October. In Cairns, Crisafulli clarified that this funding model was non-negotiable, emphasising the importance of federal contributions to the state’s major arterial road.
Premier Steven Miles and Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish have acknowledged the ongoing need for investment in the Bruce Highway. While the state government has committed to several projects, including a $450 million bridge over the Barron River and additional upgrades to the Kuranda Range Road, they stress that continuous federal funding is crucial.
With the state’s major artery in such a dangerous condition, the push for a safer Bruce Highway is gaining momentum. As Queensland prepares for its upcoming elections, the future of this critical roadway remains a pivotal issue, with the potential to shape the state’s infrastructure and safety landscape for years to come.
Published Date 12-August-2024