Better Roads Ahead For Bakers Creek And Sarina

Bruce Highway upgrades at Bakers Creek and Sarina will boost safety and strengthen a key transport link for Central Queensland motorists. Photo supplied

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Improved safety, stronger infrastructure and greater resilience are on the horizon for motorists travelling between Mackay and Sarina, with the latest round of Bruce Highway upgrades welcomed as a significant investment in the region's transport network.

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Member for Mirani, Glen Kelly, said the upgrades form part of the historic $9 billion Bruce Highway funding agreement between the Queensland and Federal governments and will deliver lasting benefits for road users across Central Queensland.

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Mr Kelly said the Bruce Highway remains one of the most vital transport routes within the Mirani electorate, supporting thousands of vehicle movements each day, including freight transport, daily commuters, tourists, school buses and emergency services.

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“Roads are consistently the number one issue raised with me by local residents, and that's not surprising when the Mirani electorate contains over 400 kilometres of the Bruce Highway stretching from the Mackay city gates right through to Raglan Creek,” Mr Kellysaid.

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“These upgrades are about improving safety, reducing road trauma and ensuring Queenslanders can get where they need to go safely and reliably.”

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Mr Kelly highlighted the importance of the Mackay to Sarina section of the Bruce Highway, particularly its role in connecting local communities, industry and freight movements throughout the district.

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“The Mackay to Sarina corridor is one of the busiest sections of highway in regional Queensland. It supports our agricultural sector, our mining industry via the Port of Hay Point, and the thousands of people who travel this route every week for work and familycommitments.”

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“That's why it is fantastic to see significant investment being directed towards projects such as pavement strengthening at both the northern and southern entrances to Sarina, along with ongoing works at Bakers Creek.”

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Works at Bakers Creek include bridge resurfacing and repairs to expansion joints, helping improve skid resistance and road performance during wet weather.

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Mr Kelly said, “Many locals were concerned about the significant deformation that had developed in the road surface at Spider Creek.  

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“The upgrades delivered there, including road widening, wide centre-line treatments and audio tactile line marking, will provide a much safer journey for motorists.”

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While the investment is a welcome boost for the region, Mr Kelly acknowledged that additional improvements are still required.

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“For too long, Queenslanders have had to accepted that travelling on the Bruce Highway means dealing with potholes, narrow sections and safety concerns.”

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“These upgrades are a major step forward, but nobody is pretending the job is finished.”

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“We will continue advocating for further investment because regional Queensland deserves a Bruce Highway that is safe, resilient and fit for the growing freight and passenger task it carries every day.”

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“Every upgrade matters. Whether it's a major highway project, a bridge repair or pavement strengthening, these investments help keep people safe and keep our regional economy moving.”

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For more information on the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program and Bruce Highway Upgrade Program projects, visit www.yoursay-projects.tmr.qld.gov.au/bruce-highway-priority-projects

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