Bruce Highway - Cooroy to Curra - Section D

Project Description

Section D involves the construction of a new 26km four-lane bypass of Gympie, running east of the city. Section D is the final link in the 62km upgrade to the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra, and will connect to the northern end of Section C (at Woondum), with the existing Bruce Highway at Curra, north of Gympie.

Key project features include:

• a new four-lane divided highway
• bridges over significant waterways, local roads, and the North Coast Railway
• interchange upgrades at Penny Road, Gympie Connection Road and Curra

The project builds on the $52 million Australian Government commitment to the $65 million Cooroy to Curra – Section D (Planning and Design) project, in partnership with the Queensland Government, to enable the planning and development of the project, including business case development, detailed design and property acquisition.

Benefits

It is expected this commitment will deliver the following benefits:

• removal of 53 at grade intersections (including nine signalised intersection) and 106 property accesses
• almost doubling of existing highway capacity between Woondum and Curra
• improved flood immunity
• increased traffic speeds
• separate long distance from local traffic movements
• separate opposing directions of traffic
• reduce traffic volumes in Gympie CBD, with approximately 50% less trucks

Funding

The Australian Government will provide up to 80% of the project costs capped at contribution of $800 million, subject to Queensland providing 20% of the project costs.

Timetable

The project is expected to begin construction mid 2020 and be completed in mid 2025, weather permitting.