Council
17 April, 2024
Getting on the fast-track
It's the 466th upgrade of the Bruce Highway and the $662.5m, 11km expansion is now making travel up and down the coast much easier for commuters.
The Bruce Highway Upgrade – Caboolture-Bribie Island Road to Steve Irwin Way (Exit 163) has delivered an additional lane in each direction along this 11km section of the highway at Elimbah.
The $662.5 million jointly funded upgrade has increased capacity by widening the Bruce Highway from a four-lane to a six-lane carriageway along this important stretch.
A permanent 110km/h speed limit is also now in place in both directions.
The upgrade has improved the network’s efficiency and reduced congestion in the area.
Interchanges and exit ramps were also improved, and 10 new higher, wider and safer bridges were built to withstand a 1-in-100-year flood.
This was put to the test during heavy rainfall in February 2024, which could have closed the highway at King Johns Creek if the new structure at this location had not been built.
Morayfield MP, Mark Ryan, said: “My local area is growing fast and I understand perfectly why that is the case because it is a great place to live, bring up young families and aspire to a productive and meaningful working life within a community that is really connected.”
Pumicestone MP, Ali King, said the opening was welcoming news for thousands of motorists.
“Extra lanes on this section of the Bruce will be a game changer for locals – this will help ease congestion and provide a quicker, safer journey for commuters and travellers now and well into the future,” she said.
The booming south east is forcing the state government to consider alternative transport corridors, including the controversial Bruce Highway Alternative.
The proposed route could require resumptions of properties in parts of Caboolture, Moodlu and Elimbah, with the Government under pressure to make a decision on its preferred route.
Asked about the route at the opening of the Bruce Highway expansion, Premier Steven Miles said that planning and consultation works will need to continue.
“But what I do know is that we absolutely need Bruce Highway duplication capacity,” he said.
“If we’re going to provide the number of homes that we expect to provide in places like Caboolture West and Elimbah, then we will need upgraded highway connections as well as a parallel highway capacity.”
