$511.5m worth of road safety upgrades to support 700 local jobs

Over $500 million in road safety treatments will be rolled out across Queensland’s urban, regional and remote roads, footpaths and cycleways as part of the jointly funded Road Safety Program. 

The Australian Government has committed $255.7 million towards the program of work and the Queensland Government invests $255.7 million as well, sourced through the Camera Detected Offence Program. 

“The Queensland Government is committed to road safety as demonstrated by the $255.7 million investment funded by the Camera Detected Offence Program. The Australia Government is matching this investment, with both State and Federal contributions totalling more than half a billion dollars in funding for Queensland roads. 

“This joint commitment is for all Queenslanders, state-wide, as reflected by $511.5 million in projects delivering safety upgrades all across Queensland. 

“These works are all about maintaining the safety of motorists on the state’s road network. As an added bonus, these projects are providing jobs for workers at a time when jobs and jobs security are more important than ever. 

“Making our roads safer is a critical component of our work to reduce trauma and move towards achieving the targets outlined in the National Road Safety Strategy of reducing fatalities by 50 per cent and serious injuries by 30 per cent by 2031 on our roads,” QLD Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish said. 

The significant funding will deliver 71 safety upgrade projects on state-controlled roads to address identified road safety issues that have contributed to vehicle collisions. 

About $434.2 million from the $511.5 million funding has been earmarked for projects in regional and rural Queensland. This commitment demonstrates the two governments’ focus on supporting regional communities. 

The proposed works will include intersection upgrades, lane widening projects, line markings, rest area upgrades, heavy vehicle interception sites and safety improvements for pedestrians and cyclists. 

The funding will accelerate the roll-out of lifesaving road safety treatments on local roads, including: 

• 22 projects delivering targeted cycling and pedestrian improvements 
• 15 projects upgrading intersections 
• 16 projects delivering widening including installing wide centre line treatment (WCLT) and barrier 
• 4 projects improving roads including realigning, sealing unsealed roads and improving signage and visibility 
• 4 projects delivering and/or improving rest areas/stopping bays 
• 3 projects installing line marking including WCLT and audio tactile line marking (ATLM) 
• 1 project installing and upgrading barrier 
• 1 project installing overtaking lanes 

Five statewide mass action projects have been approved as well, which will improve rest areas, install line marking and Township Entry Treatments, and provide heavy vehicle interception sites. 

The five mass action projects include: 

• Old Cleveland Road – Bicycle Lane construction – approximately 400 metres of new bicycle lane construction including signal modification 
• Steve Irwin Way – Beerwah (Southeast Queensland) – increasing safety and visibility for all road users 
• Kennedy Highway intersection upgrades – Cairns to Mareeba and Mareeba-Ravenshoe (Far North Queensland) – upgrading intersections to address crash history 
• Gatton Helidon Road – Gatton (Southeast Queensland) – for safety treatments on high-speed sections 
• Capricorn Highway – Duaringa – Emerald (Central Queensland) – for road safety improvements including WCLT and ATLM 

Not only will these projects improve road safety across the State, but it will also deliver much-needed jobs for Queenslanders. Indigenous and local governments will be engaged to ensure that cultural heritage, knowledge and community expectations are considered in the delivery of the projects, ensuring community support and fast-tracking delivery timeframes. 

The projects – which are expected to support an average of 700 jobs – are required to be completed by 30 June 2025. 

“2023 was one of the deadliest years on Australia’s roads with 1,253 lives lost. The Road Safety Program is part of our ongoing commitment to reduce the number of deaths and serious injuries on our roads by working with state partners, like the Queensland Government, to ensure this devastating death toll is reduced. 

“This joint Australian and Queensland government funding will also support the fast roll out of lifesaving road safety treatments on rural and regional roads across Queensland, and to provide greater protection for vulnerable road users like cyclists and pedestrians in the state’s urban areas. 

“The Albanese Government is committed to delivering the infrastructure that Queensland needs to improve and protect lives. Once completed, road upgrades will provide local and visitors with safer roads to travel on,” Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Senator Anthony Chisholm said. 

Source: Queensland Government – Media Statements; Roads & Infrastructure Australia