As Queensland Road Safety Week kicks off, Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry is demanding immediate action from both federal and state Labor governments to urgently address safety concerns on the Bruce Highway and prevent further tragedies on our roads.
“The Bruce Highway is a critical piece of infrastructure, yet drivers are left to navigate one of the most dangerous roads in Australia.
“Labor is showing contempt for regional Australia by making it even harder to secure road improvements, slashing the federal contribution from an 80:20 to a 50:50 funding model. With 15 of the deadliest stretches of the Bruce Highway located in Capricornia alone, this change will delay or even cancel essential road works that are urgently needed to save lives,” Ms Landry said.
A recent study of the Bruce Highway undertaken by Adjunct Professor Colin Dwyer has painted a concerning picture of just how dangerous this main road network is.
The report revealed that the most dangerous sections of the Bruce Highway are all located north of Gladstone, particularly between Etna Creek and Sarina, as well as from Bowen to Home Hill.
“It’s unsurprising to read in the report just how bad the road is, with the stretch between Etna Creek and Sarina having the highest amount of road defects at 233, the least overtaking lanes per 100km at 2 lanes and the second highest fatal and serious injury (FSI) per 100km between Sarina and Mackay.
“During the Coalition’s three terms in government, $10 billion was invested for urgent upgrades to the Bruce Highway between Rockhampton and Sarina. Under Labor, that momentum has ground to a halt. Instead of investing in the regions, funding is being siphoned into city projects plagued by cost blowouts. Meanwhile, lives are being lost on our roads.”
“Enough is enough. It’s time for the talk to stop from the Premier and Prime Minister and put the money where their mouth is and investment in saving the lives of Bruce Highway users,” Ms Landry said.
ENDS
Michelle Landry’s Bruce Highway funding record
- $49 million to improve the southern access to Mackay
- $106.4 million for black spot areas between Rockhampton and Sarina
- $11.5 million for Sarina North Access upgrade
- $72.6 million for maintenance funding between Rockhampton and Sarina
Key findings from Bruce Highway Report 2024 – Adjunct Professor Colin Dwyer
Overtaking Lanes per 100km
Etna Creek – Sarina: 2 overtaking lanes/100km
Narrow Bridges
Etna Creek – Sarina: 31 narrow bridges (11.1 narrow bridges/100km)
Road defects
Etna Creek – Sarina: 233
Fatal and Serious Injury (FSI) per 100km (average)
Sarina – Mackay: 9.9
St Lawrence – Sarina: 7.6
Rockhampton – Marlborough: 7
Marlborough – St Lawrence: 6.6
