Michelle Landry (Capricornia, National Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

I would like to inform the House that the federal government continues to pour much-needed money into improving the Bruce Highway in the City of Rockhampton. The George and Albert streets intersection on the south side of the CBD is among the latest projects to go ahead thanks to a $9.2 million contribution from the federal government. This is an extremely busy and congested intersection that sees 26,000 cars and heavy vehicles go by each day. These vehicles pass through the inner city. The scope of the work includes a new right-hand turning lane that means south-bound traffic on the Bruce Highway will no longer have to stop for traffic lights. It will make for a less acute and safer turning route for heavy vehicles. There will be other changes to local traffic flow as well and motorists will be advised of this closer to the time it occurs.

The entire project is due for completion in July this year. If all goes well, it is possible that this project may come in under budget. This is another example of the federal government fulfilling its election commitment to improve the Bruce Highway. The highway is the state's main transport corridor from Brisbane to Far North Queensland.