Upgrade ready by Christmas
THE upgrade of the Bruce Hwy between Sankeys and Traveston Rds is on track to be wrapped up before Christmas and under-budget following the completion of another of the project's major construction contracts.
Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese said the latest package of works to be completed included three new bridges and surfacing the new 12km section of highway using about 160,000 tonnes of asphalt and 6000 tonnes of concrete.
Gympie regional mayor Ron Dyne yesterday attended his first meeting of the Bruce Hwy Crisis Management Group, where the parameters were laid down for prioritising highway works between Brisbane and Cairns.
Once Section B of the bypass is done, Cr Dyne suspects Section A (Cooroy southern interchange to Sankeys Rd) will be the next priority, though he thinks priority should be given to Section C (Traveston Rd to Keefton Rd) for flood-proofing and safety.
Cr Dyne also wants to see the bypass taken out to Tin Can Bay Rd for safety and transport efficiency reasons.
Funding and time frames for Sections C and D (Keefton Rd to Curra) are yet to be announced.
All that is left to do on Section B is finish the Traveston interchange and Mary Valley Link Rd and the realignment of Traveston Rd and the Skyring Creek bridge connection.
