The Newman Government has welcomed reports the Federal Coalition will provide new funding for new projects to bring the Bruce Highway up to a satisfactory standard.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said more than $10 billion was required over the next 10 years to deliver major safety, flood mitigation and capacity upgrades for the 1700km lifeline.
“The Newman Government has already recognised that more needs to be done to properly fund this national road,” Mr Emerson said.
“We have committed an extra $1 billion to the Bruce Highway provided the Federal Government also brings forward additional funding and meet their traditional 80-20 split.
“I am pleased to read reports today the Shadow Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss supports this funding agreement and will be going above and beyond the base funding for the Bruce Highway.
“We look forward to seeing the final funding detail from the Coalition in the coming months.”
In October last year, the Newman Government delivered the Bruce Highway Action Plan – a 10-year blueprint of existing Bruce Highway projects along with new safety, capacity and flood mitigation projects.
Mr Emerson said he will continue to lobby the Coalition and Labor to secure the best deal for Queensland when it comes to the Bruce Highway.
“We need a national effort to save lives and reduce crashes between Brisbane and Cairns,” he said.
“Throughout the Federal election campaign both the Coalition and Labor need to properly fund this national road and commit new money to new projects.
“Otherwise, as the RACQ predicts, we will see up to 400 people die on this national road over the next decade.”
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