Final works are underway for the $1.1 billion Gympie Bypass project, with works expected to be completed in October 2024.
The project has involved constructing a new 26km, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum, just south of Gympie, and Curra.
It is the final section of a 62km, $2.5 billion program of works to upgrade the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra.
Construction of the overall Cooroy to Curra program began in September 2009.
The $1.1 billion Gympie Bypass is jointly funded, with the Federal Government committing $929.6 million and the Queensland Government contributing $232.4 million.
Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government, Catherine King, said, “This stretch of highway will improve safety, flood resilience and capacity for motorists as well as meeting the transport needs of the Gympie and Sunshine Coast communities well into the future.
“We know how important continued investment in major infrastructure upgrades is, and that’s why in this year’s Federal Budget we allocated a further $467 million towards several projects along the Bruce Highway like the Gympie Bypass to ensure they get delivered for Queenslanders.”
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development and Senator for Queensland, Anthony Chisholm, said, “This vital infrastructure project has been a long time coming for the locals and visitors who travel throughout the Gympie region. So, it’s great to be in town today to officially commission the Gympie Bypass and celebrate its impending completion with the community.
“While we’ve experienced some wet weather this week, local construction crews are determined to take advantage of the drier months and good construction conditions to have the bypass open to the public by October this year.
“This is the culmination of 15 years worth of construction on the 62km Bruce Highway upgrade, and it’s a privilege to celebrate this massive achievement.
“Not only will this stretch of highway improve safety, flood resilience and capacity for motorists, it will also meet the transport needs of the Gympie and Sunshine Coast communities well into the future.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads, Bart Mellish, said, “We are so close to the finish line now, with the final works underway to prepare the new highway for traffic.
“Our construction partners have built 42 bridges at 23 locations, moved more than 6 million cubic metres of earth, and laid over 142 kilometres of pavement and 610,000 tonnes of asphalt.”
Image: Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads
