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Federal member of Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP. All photos supplied: Andrew Willcox MP
Goorganga Plains is set to receive a much-needed upgrade to its section of the Bruce Highway, with construction now underway on new overtaking lanes aimed at improving safety and reducing driver frustration.
The project is a major milestone in the federal and state governments’ ongoing investment in the Bruce Highway, with new northbound and southbound overtaking lanes to provide motorists with safer opportunities to pass slower-moving vehicles.
The works will also include roadside safety improvements and upgrades to the Gunyarra Road intersection, including improved lighting and pavement treatments.
Member for the Whitsundays, Amanda Camm MP, revealed the upgrades, while also acknowledging how this can open the door for more necessary improvements to come.
“Anyone who regularly drives this section of the Bruce Highway understands how important these upgrades are for safety and reliability," Ms Camm said.
Ms Camm also praised the planning for new flood resilience roads which is currently underway, with a current proposal to raise about 10.6 kilometres of the highway between Thompson Creek and Lethebrook, looking to improve drainage and new bridge upgrades.
"Locals have endured the impacts of flooding in this region, so it is fantastic to also see planning underway to deliver infrastructure improvements to improve flood resilience where it is needed most.”
However Federal Member for Dawson, Andrew Willcox MP, said the long-awaited and asked for project needs get beyond the design stage.
“I welcome these overtaking lanes, I welcome the extra work, but I do ask that the flood mitigation on that Goorganga section of the road be expedited,” Mr Willcox said.
During his time as Whitsunday Regional Council mayor, Mr Willcox called for the flood-prone section to be upgraded, lobbying the former Coalition government and securing $10 million for a business case into the proposed works.
“That came through and, of course, showed how important it is,” Mr Willcox said.
“The next step was the design phase, but that now needs to be completed, and then it needs to be built.
“I’m sick and tired of seeing money head down to the southeast corner while people in my electorate and across the north miss out.”
Recognising the cost of the project, Mr Willcox suggested the entire upgrade could be master-planned and delivered in stages if sufficient funding was not immediately available.
“I want to see it done as soon as possible, and I understand it’s going to be expensive,” he said.
“If there’s not enough money to get it all done in one hit, let’s master-plan the whole project and deliver it section by section, so we ultimately achieve the final result.”
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