Bruce Highway

Bruce Highway
Queensland
Map of Queensland with Bruce Highway highlighted in yellow
General information
Type Highway
Length 1,652 km (1,027 mi)
Route number(s)
Major junctions
North end Captain Cook Highway (National Route 1/State Route 44), Cairns, Queensland
 
South end Gateway Motorway (M1), Bald Hills, Brisbane
Location(s)
Major settlements Townsville, Mackay, Rockhampton, Maryborough
Highway system
Highways in Australia
National Highway • Freeways in Australia
Highways in Queensland
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Approximate road distances (in kilometres) of towns from Brisbane along the highway

The Bruce Highway is a major highway in Queensland, Australia. Commencing in the state capital, Brisbane, it passes through areas close to the eastern coast to Cairns in Far North Queensland. The route is a part of the Australian National Highway and also part of Highway 1. Its length is approximately 1,700 kilometres (1,100 mi); it is entirely sealed with bitumen.

The highway is named after the former Queensland and federal politician Henry Adam Bruce. He was the state Minister for Works when the highway was named after him, in the mid-1930s. It once passed through Brisbane, but was truncated at Bald Hills when the recently constructed Gateway Motorway became National Highway 1 upon its opening in December 1986.

The Bruce Highway is the biggest traffic carrier in Queensland. The highway initially joined all the major coastal centres; however, a number of bypasses, particularly in the south, have diverted traffic around these cities to expedite traffic flow and ease urban congestion. As a result, the highway is constantly being shortened. The road is a dual carriageway from Brisbane to Cooroy with some dual carriageway lengths at Gympie, many of these upgrades being completed in the 1980s (Glass House Mountains, Tanawha, Maryborough) and 1990s (Nambour, Yandina, and Cooroy).

In the south the Bruce Highway commences at the bridge over the Pine River at the Gateway Motorway interchange, 21 kilometres (13 mi) north of Brisbane central business district. Recently, the Bruce Highway has changed its route numbering from National Highway 1 to the M1 (motorway road) or A1 (single carriageway, generally with overtaking lanes).

Sugar cane train crossing, 2003

Several major cities along the route include Maryborough, Rockhampton, Mackay, Townsville, and Cairns. The highway passes the Glasshouse Mountains, rainforests and pastures in the Sunshine Coast, the Gunalda Range (north of Gympie), Mount Larcom (north of Gladstone), and the arid countryside north of Rockhampton; after that, it passes through land predominantly used for sugar cane, crop growing and dairy farms and the sub-tropics and tropics.

Upgrades

One of the largest and major deviations of the Bruce Highway was the Bald Hills to Burpengary Deviation. Beginning construction in 1972, the new route took traffic from Gympie Road at Bald Hills to Uhlmann Road at Burpengary along a much more superior alignment which was also constructed to four lanes. The new route was officially opened on 10 November 1977 at a total cost of $20 million.[1]

Due to the nature of wet weather and tropical cyclone prone areas of North Queensland, Bruce Highway is prone to frequent flooding in a number of places. Following the catastrophic Queensland floods in 2010–2011 the Australian Government have commissioned a feasibility study on flood-proofing the Bruce Highway. The feasibility study is to be completed by the middle of 2011.[2]

Bruce Highway is set to undergo redevelopment, realignment, flood-proofing and extension of dual carriageway sections on numerous stretches of the Highway.[3] Former Premier Anna Bligh announced the plans while launching the Queensland Infrastructure Plan. The works are expected to total A$2 billion and include 60 projects over a period of two decades.[3]

A stretch of road between Cardwell and Tully, which is prone to frequent flooding in the wet season, is set to undergo realignment. A new route for the highway through Townsville was under construction with the first stage of the Townsville Ring Road (now called The Ring Road) already completed.

Upgrade to a stretch of the highway north of Townsville has been given approval, and will see the existing dual carriageway to the north extended by another 5–10 km. It will also include installation of traffic lights at Mt Low Parkway, and will be the final stage of the Ring Road link up to this section by 2015. The Queensland Main Roads Department's ultimate concept map of the development also shows that the highway will also progressively become Motorway standard by 2015, with the implementation of interchanges at various junctions.

The highway south of Cairns will also see sections of the highway to the suburb of Edmonton become six lanes, with progressive dual-carriageway redevelopment of the highway to Gordonvale. Labour candidate Jim Turnour has also put ahead that stage 1 of the Cairns Southern Motorway will begin with overpasses at Ray Jones Drive and Sheehy Road if elected.

To improve flood immunity of the highway south of Childers, a new and improved road alignment and a higher bridge over the Isis River were completed in September 2011.[4]

Between Caboolture and the Gateway Motorway, the highway has been widened to eight and six lanes since 2001, including the Dohles Rocks Road to Boundary Road section in October 2004, the Boundary Road to Uhlmann Road section in March 2007, and the latest section Uhlmann Road to Bribie Island Road in November 2009. Further upgrades are under review.

A new interchange is currently under construction at the notorious intersection of Roys Road at Beerwah. It will also connect to the nearby Bells Creek Road, another dangerous intersection, and is due for completion in early 2015.[5] This follows a similar situation at Buchanans Road in Morayfield, the intersection of which was replaced by an interchange in November 1996.

The Pumicestone Road interchange is also undergoing a redesign, replacing the original low-level bridge and ramps constructed in October 1970. Completion is expected in late 2014.

The Nambour Bypass has recently gone through a process of rehabilitation due to the extremely rough surface and dangerous pothole appearances during wet weather. This work was completed in 2009.

As of 2014 Section B of the joint State and Federal funded 61 kilometres (38 mi) Cooroy to Curra upgrade of the highway is open. Due to the new highway change, one of the local schools, Federal State School, was relocated. Early works for Section A has commenced. When completed, the Cooroy to Curra upgrade will bypass the town of Gympie and a mainly 2 lane section will be replaced with a 4 lane dual-carriageway.[6]

Major Upgrades - Bald Hills to Cooroy

Major Upgrades - Cooroy to Rockhampton

Major Upgrades - Rockhampton to Townsville

Major Upgrades - Townsville to Cairns

Projects

List of projects on the Bruce Highway
Project Length (km) Construction dates Value Status Description Distance from
Brisbane (km)
Start End
Cooroy to Federal 13.5 July 2013[23] Late 2016[23] $590 million[23] Under construction Section A of Cooroy to Curra. Four lane divided highway, new alignment. 126
Federal to Traveston 12 September 2009[24] December 2012[24] $513 million[24] Complete Section B of Cooroy to Curra. Four lane divided highway, new alignment. 140
Yeppen South 2.8 27 November 2013[25] 2016[25] $296 million[25] Under construction New elevated crossing across the Yeppen Floodplain as additional carriageway 628
Yeppen North 1 27 November 2013[26] $85 million[26] Complete Safety and traffic flow improvements 631
Mackay Ring Road (Stage 1) 11.3 Mid 2017[27] Late 2019[27] $560 million[27] In planning Two lane highway, new alignment. 963
Townsville Ring Road (Section 4) 11 TBA TBA $200 million[28] In planning 4 lane motorway, new alignment. 1366
Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade (Sheehy Road to Ray Jones Drive) 3.4 2010[29] April 2014[29] $150 million[29] Complete New interchanges, widening of road 1696

Highway towns

Travelling north, the following towns and small cities are found on (or very close to) the Bruce Highway.

The Bruce Highway in Cairns southern suburbs at morning peak hour.

Major intersections

LGALocationkm[30]miExitDestinationsNotes
BrisbaneBald Hills00.0127 Gateway Motorway (M1) east / Gympie Arterial Road (M3) south – Gold Coast, Brisbane, Brisbane AirportSouthern highway terminus; partial Y interchange: no access between Gateway Motorway and Gympie Arterial Road
Moreton BayGriffin–Murrumba Downs boundary2.51.6130Dohles Rocks Road – Murrumba Downs, GriffinHalf-diamond interchange: northbound exit and southbound entrance
Kallangur–Mango Hill–North Lakes tripoint5.63.5133 Anzac Avenue (State Route 71) – Petrie, RedcliffeParclo interchange
North Lakes–Dakabin–Narangba tripoint10.36.4138Boundary Road – Dakabin, Deception Bay, Alma Park Zoo
Deception Bay–Burpengary boundary14.18.8142 Deception Bay Road (State Route 26 east) – Burpengary, Narangba, Deception Bay
Burpengary18.611.6146 Uhlmann Road (State Route 60 west) – Burpengary
Burpengary–Morayfield boundary20.312.6—Caboolture BP Travel Centre
Morayfield22.113.7150Buchanan Road – MorayfieldDumbbell interchange
Caboolture24.515.2152Lower King Street west / Bribe Island Road east – Caboolture, Bribie IslandParclo interchange; northern ramps merge with D'Aguilar Highway southern ramps
26.116.2 D'Aguilar Highway (State Route 85) – KilcoyTrumpet interchange
Caboolture–Elimbah boundary29.618.4—Pumicestone Road – Elimbah, Toorbul, DonnybrookDiamond interchange, upgrade currently under construction
Elimbah35.522.1— Steve Irwin Way (Tourist Drive 24) – Beerwah, Glass House Mountains
Sunshine CoastGlass House Mountains–Coochin Creek boundary43.226.8—Johnston Road – Mobil Service Centre, Wild Horse Mountain Lookout
Meridan Plains–Glenview boundary60.637.7— Steve Irwin Way (State Route 6 / Tourist Drive 24) west / Caloundra Road (State Route 6) eastParclo interchange
Palmview61.8–
64.0		38.4–
39.8		—Fizzo Road north / Pignata Road south – Glenview, PalmviewFrontage roads
Tanawha–Sippy Downs boundary66.241.1194 Sunshine Motorway (State Route 70) – Buderim, Mooloolaba
Forest Glen–Chevallum boundary71.5–
72.5		44.4–
45.0		—Mons Road – Forest Glen, Buderim
Woombye73.745.8— Maroochydore Road (State Route 8) east / Nambour Connection Road west – Nambour, Woombye, Maroochydore, Big PineappleRoundabout interchange
Bli Bli–Nambour boundary80.750.1— Nambour–Bli Bli Road (State Route 10 east / Tourist Drive 23 west) – Nambour, Bli Bli, Mapleton, Sunshine Coast AirportDumbbell interchange
Bli Bli–Parklands–Kulangoor tripoint83.051.6—Nambour Connection Road – ParklandsPartial parclo interchange: no northbound entrance ramp
Yandina87.454.3— Yandina–Coolum Road (State Route 11) – Yandina, Coolum BeachDumbbell interchange
Eumundi95.859.5— Eumundi–Noosa Road (State Route 12 east) – Eumundi, Noosa, KenilworthHybrid interchange; northbound exit and southbound entrance only
Eerwah Vale98.561.2—Memorial Drive / Eumundi–Kenilworth Road – Eumundi, Noosa, KenilworthHybrid interchange; southbound exit and northbound entrance only
NoosaCooroy10364— Myall Street (State Route 6) – Cooroy, NoosaTrumpet interchange; route transition: northern end of M1, southern end of A1
GympieGympie14489 Mary Valley Road (State Route 51) – Kandanga
Bells Bridge15999 Wide Bay Highway (State Route 49) – Kilkivan
Fraser CoastTinana227141 Gympie Road (State Route 57) – Maryborough, Hervey Bay
BundabergChilders289180 Isis Highway (State Route 52) south – Biggenden
Apple Tree Creek–North Isis boundary296184 Isis Highway (State Route 3) north – Bundaberg, BargaraPartially grade separated
Gin Gin344214 Gin Gin Road (State Route 3) – Bundaberg
GladstoneBenaraby–Wurdong Heights boundary491305 Gladstone–Benaraby Road (State Route 58) – Gladstone
Calliope502312 Dawson Highway (State Route 60) – Calliope, Rolleston, GladstoneDiamond interchange with additional looped ramp
Mount Larcom536333 Gladstone–Mount Larcom Road (State Route 58) – Gladstone
RockhamptonGracemere–Port Curtis boundary605376 Burnett Highway (A3) – Mount Morgan, Dululu
Port Curtis–Fairy Bower boundary608378 Capricorn Highway (A4) – Gracemere, EmeraldRoundabout
Rockhampton612380Fitzroy Street to Rockhampton–Emu Park Road – Emu Park
Parkhurst621386 Yeppoon Road (Tourist Drive 10) – Yeppoon
MackayOoralea–Paget–West Mackay tripoint943586 Peak Downs Highway (State Route 70) – Nebu, Eungella
TownsvilleStuart1,324823 Flinders Highway (A6) – Charters Towers
JohnstoneBelvedere–Goondi boundary1,599994 Palmerston Highway (State Route 25) – Millaa Millaa, Atherton
CairnsGordonvale1,6591,031 Gillies Highway (State Route 52) – Yungaburra, Atherton
Cairns1,6821,045 Captain Cook Highway (National Route 1) – Mareeba, MossmanNorthern highway terminus
1.000 mi = 1.609 km; 1.000 km = 0.621 mi

See also

References

  1. ↑ Caboolture in 1970's Archived 9 April 2013 at the Wayback Machine.. Retrieved on 2 February 2012.
  2. ↑ Geoff Chambers (8 January 2011). "Queensland flood victims overwhelmed by damage". Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 19 January 2011.
  3. 1 2 "Bligh announces Bruce Hwy upgrade". Sky News. Australian News Channel. 12 July 2011. Retrieved 5 September 2011.
  4. ↑ "Bruce Highway Upgrade Isis River Bridge". Department of Transport and Main Roads. 15 February 2011. Retrieved 23 February 2011.
  5. ↑
  6. ↑ http://www.tmr.qld.gov.au/Projects/Name/B/Bruce-Highway-Cooroy-to-Curra.aspx
  7. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1966-1967
  8. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1970-1971
  9. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1972-1973
  10. 1 2 Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1973-1974
  11. 1 2 Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1974-1975
  12. 1 2 3 Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1976-1977
  13. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1977-1978
  14. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1978-1979
  15. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1979-1980
  16. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1985-1986
  17. ↑ Queensland Transport Annual Report 1993-1994
  18. ↑ Department of Main Roads Annual Report 1996-1997
  19. ↑
  20. ↑
  21. ↑ QLD Transport page on Cooroy to Curra project Accessed 25 August 2013
  22. ↑
  23. 1 2 3 "Bruce Highway Upgrade (Cooroy to Curra): Section A (Cooroy to Federal)". Queensland Government. 16 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  24. 1 2 3 "Bruce Highway (Cooroy to Curra) Upgrade: Section B (Federal to Traveston)". Queensland Government. 23 June 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  25. 1 2 3 "Yeppen South Project". Queensland Government. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  26. 1 2 "Yeppen North Project". Queensland Government. 15 July 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  27. 1 2 3 "Mackay Ring Road". Queensland Government. 7 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  28. ↑ "Townsville Ring Road (Section 4)". Queensland Government. 15 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  29. 1 2 3 "Cairns Bruce Highway Upgrade - Sheehy Road (Forest Gardens) to Ray Jones Drive". Queensland Government. 1 August 2014. Retrieved 18 August 2014.
  30. ↑ Google (21 April 2014). "Bruce Highway" (Map). Google Maps. Google. Retrieved 21 April 2014.

External links

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