January 6th 2025.
If the Labor party is re-elected in the upcoming federal election, one of the most dangerous roads in the country will finally receive a much-needed safety overhaul. The $7.2 billion scheme, proposed by Labor, aims to upgrade sections of the 1673km long Bruce Highway in Queensland.
This highway serves as a crucial link between Brisbane and other major cities such as Bundaberg, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. However, despite its importance, it has been plagued by numerous accidents and fatalities. In fact, in 2024 alone, more than 40 lives were lost on this treacherous stretch of road. The number of deaths and serious injuries on the Bruce Highway is five times higher than any other major highway in New South Wales or Victoria. Sadly, even this year, two people have already lost their lives on this road.
In an effort to address this issue, the first phase of the safety overhaul will focus on the sections north of Gympie. This announcement by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese is the first major funding promise leading up to this year's election, which is scheduled for no later than May 17th. Albanese highlighted that 62% of Queenslanders use this highway and the alarming statistics of accidents and fatalities make it a top priority for improvement.
Infrastructure Minister Catherine King also emphasized the urgency of this plan, stating that it will save lives. She acknowledged that too many lives have been lost on the Bruce Highway and the number of fatal accidents has increased in recent years, especially on the stretch of road from Gympie onwards.
Wayne Sachs, a veteran from the Queensland Ambulance Service with 50 years of experience working along the Bruce Highway, has been advocating for improvements since 2009. He expressed his relief that the upgrades already made in his area have prevented further fatalities. However, he believes that more needs to be done to ensure the safety of all those who use this highway. Sachs praised the government's plan, stating that it will not only save lives but also make a significant impact on the community.
The federal government will cover 80% of the cost of this project, with the state responsible for the remaining 20%. This is a different funding split than usual, as it is typically a 50/50 split between the federal and state governments. Minister King assured that this investment in the Bruce Highway will have a positive impact and ultimately save lives.
In September last year, data from AAMI revealed the Bruce Highway as one of the top hotspots for crashes across the country, ranking third on the list. This is a concerning statistic and highlights the urgent need for improvements and safety measures on this road. One of the most recent fatal crashes on the Bruce Highway involved a Greyhound bus, claiming the lives of three people near the Wilson Creek Rest Area at Gumlu, south of Townsville last winter.
Overall, the Labor party's $7.2 billion scheme to upgrade the Bruce Highway is a crucial step towards improving the safety of this road and saving lives. The government's commitment to this project is commendable, and it is hoped that this much-needed overhaul will make a significant difference in reducing accidents and fatalities on this notorious stretch of highway.
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