Works on the $38 million Tinana Interchange upgrade in Queensland have been completed, reducing congestion and improving safety.
Federal Minister for Transport and Infrastructure, Darren Chester, said he was pleased to see the finishing touches on the project complete, with the upgrade set to benefit thousands of motorists.
“Today’s formal completion is an important step towards delivering a safer, more efficient Bruce Highway for motorists and industry throughout Queensland. We are contributing $6.7 billion to the joint $8.5 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Program to build a better, safer highway, and this new interchange is just one of the improvements making a difference to motorists,” Mr Chester said.
Federal Member for Wide Bay, Llew O’Brien, said the project supported an estimated 118 direct jobs over the life of the project.
“This project has transformed an unsafe monstrosity into a welcoming gateway to the Fraser Coast, enabling the safe movement of traffic and freight between Maryborough and the highway. It will significantly reduce the number of congestion related crashes, and improve overall operational safety,” Mr O’Brien said.
“The new interchange will provide lasting benefits to motorists, business and industry, improving access to one of Queensland’s premier tourist destinations. The project opened to traffic last month and is already making a tremendous difference for the 11,000 motorists and truck drivers who drive this section of the highway every day.”
Acting Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety, Steven Miles, thanked the local community for their patience and cooperation during construction.
“Since the opening of the new interchange, we have completed final works on the road surface, as well as landscaping and installing guard rails, while the temporary side track connections that were set up during the project were also removed. I thank everyone for obeying the road signs, slowing down and driving carefully around the roadworks site,” Mr Miles said.
Construction began in July 2016 and was completed in September 2017. The Australian Government committed up to $30.4 million and the Queensland Government $7.6 million to fund the $38 million Bruce Highway—Tinana Interchange project.
