NQ: Bruce Highway Targeted Road Safety Program - North of Innisfail and near Cardwell
Source: Department of Transport and Main Roads
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) is about to start pavement strengthening works on the Bruce Highway north of Innisfail and near Cardwell.
These works are part of the $300 million early start package announced in March 2025 for the new $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program (BHTSP), jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on an 80:20 basis.
The early start package provides the rapid response needed to address safety deficiencies at key locations to reduce the severity and frequency of crashes impacting our communities and businesses.
Pavement strengthening provides important safety benefits including increased driver comfort from a smooth and consistent ride, enhanced skid resistance and improved vehicle stability, especially in wet weather.
These works will involve removing the existing surface and application of strengthening treatments. This will be followed by the application of a waterproof high-strength seal to improve surface drainage and pavement strength. In addition to improving safety, these works will extend the life of the road surface, reduce traffic noise and decrease the incidence of potholes.
The works will be carried out in the following locations:
- Daradgee – a section of three kilometres north of the Victory Creek Road intersection
- Ellerbeck – a section of two kilometres between Clift Road and Hubinger Road
- Kennedy – a section of one kilometre north from Old Cardwell Road.
The works are expected to start on Monday 8 September 2025 in Daradgee and progress to the other sites. Crews will be onsite between 6am and 6pm between Monday and Saturday. No works will be carried out on Sundays. Works are expected to be completed in mid-October 2025, weather and construction conditions permitting.
For the safety of road users and maintenance crews, changed traffic conditions will be in place including temporary speed limit reductions, and single lane operation under coordination of traffic controllers and/or traffic signals while the works are carried out.
There may be times when access to properties directly adjacent to the works will be temporarily restricted. The contractor will contact impacted property owners directly, prior to any anticipated impacts.
Nearby properties may experience noise associated with the works, such as the sound of trucks, light machinery and vibrations while the work is carried out. The contractor will take all reasonable and practicable actions to minimise impacts and any disruptions to property owners, as well as other stakeholders.
Intermittent full closures of the road will be required at times to carry out the works. Road users can expect delays of up to 15-minute periods during the full closures. Road users should plan their journeys accordingly.
Variable Message Signs (VMS) will be in place on the approaches to the work site to ensure motorists are aware in advance of the changed traffic conditions. Changes in dates due to poor weather will be posted on the VMS.
