Australia’s Queensland Bruce Highway Upgrade Creates Safer Road Trips Across Wide Bay–Burnett Region

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Susmita Das

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September 11, 2026 07:47 GMT+5:30

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Image: Queensland Travel

The Queensland branch of the government in Australia has begun another phase in its improvement and expansion of the Bruce Highway in the Wide Bay–Burnett region. Improvements made so far in this region and improvements planned will make travel on regional roads safer and easier, and will join regions for the purpose of growing tourism. An important step in this improvement was made with safety upgrades to Barton Road located North of Gin Gin. The $9 billion program targets safety improvements along the Bruce Highway from Gympie in the south to Cairns in the north. Improving the safety of this route will improve the journey experience for local and interstate travelers and for freight carriage throughout the state.

The Bruce Highway is an important link between regional and rural Queensland; it connects the state’s coast to its towns, supporting regional tourism and its economy. It supports travel for over 95% of the state’s population who rely more on the self-drive option of holidays, van travel, and road travel.

Wide Bay–Burnett Bruce Highway Upgrade Delivers Key Safety Improvements for Travellers

The completed Kolonga upgrade marks a significant step forward in improving one of Wide Bay–Burnett’s important highway connections. The project focused on the Bruce Highway and Barton Road intersection, where upgraded infrastructure has been introduced to make vehicle movements safer and more efficient. The improvements include dedicated turning lanes and intersection upgrades that help reduce potential conflicts between vehicles travelling along the highway and those entering or leaving Barton Road.

Key details of the Kolonga upgrade:

The upgrade is particularly significant because the Bruce Highway carries a combination of local traffic, long-distance travellers, freight vehicles and tourism-related road users. Better-designed intersections can help reduce risks while supporting smoother movement through regional Queensland. The Wide Bay–Burnett region is an important gateway for visitors travelling between southern Queensland destinations and areas further north. Improved highway infrastructure strengthens access to regional attractions, accommodation areas and local tourism businesses that depend on reliable road connections.

A$9 Billion Bruce Highway Safety Programme Reshapes Queensland Road Travel

The Kolonga project is one part of the broader Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, a historic A$9 billion investment focused on improving safety and resilience along Queensland’s major north–south highway corridor. The programme is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments, with an 80:20 funding arrangement. The programme covers the Bruce Highway corridor between Gympie and Cairns and targets areas where safety improvements can deliver the greatest benefits for motorists.

Major elements of the Bruce Highway programme include:

• Pavement strengthening to improve road durability
• Wide centre-line treatments to increase separation between vehicles
• Intersection upgrades at high-risk locations
• Additional overtaking lanes to improve traffic movement
• Bridge replacements and upgrades
• New and improved heavy vehicle rest areas
• Flood resilience improvements

The Queensland Department of Transport and Main Roads has identified multiple projects progressing through planning, design, tender and construction stages as part of the programme. These improvements are designed to address some of the biggest challenges facing long-distance road travel, including ageing infrastructure, increasing traffic volumes, safety risks and weather-related disruptions.

Upcoming Wide Bay–Burnett Projects Expand Highway Improvements

The completed Barton Road works represent only one stage of the wider infrastructure rollout across Wide Bay–Burnett.

Additional projects planned or progressing in the region include upgrades at:

These projects are expected to improve conditions for both everyday travellers and visitors undertaking longer Queensland road journeys. For tourism, reliable highways are essential. Many visitors explore Queensland through independent driving holidays, campervan trips and regional itineraries. Better road conditions allow travellers to move more confidently between coastal towns, inland attractions and nature-based destinations.

Bruce Highway Investment Supports Queensland Self-Drive Tourism Growth

Queensland has a strong road-trip tourism market, with domestic and international visitors frequently choosing self-drive experiences to explore the state’s beaches, national parks, regional towns and cultural attractions. The Bruce Highway plays a central role in these journeys. It provides access to a wide range of destinations and supports travel between major visitor regions.

For travellers, infrastructure improvements can create several practical benefits:

Safer long-distance journeys

Improved intersections, road markings and pavement conditions can reduce risks on high-volume sections of the highway.

More reliable travel planning

Better road infrastructure can help visitors plan longer itineraries with greater confidence.

Improved access to regional destinations

Regional tourism operators benefit when visitors can reach towns and attractions more easily.

Better facilities for road travellers

Upgraded rest areas provide safer stopping opportunities for families, caravan travellers and commercial drivers. The investment also supports local economies by improving connections for businesses, freight operators and tourism providers across regional Queensland.

Queensland Highway Upgrade Programme Strengthens Regional Connectivity

The Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program represents one of Queensland’s largest road safety investments, with projects being delivered across multiple locations along the corridor. The programme is not focused only on improving travel speed. Instead, it aims to create a safer, more dependable transport network capable of supporting future population growth, economic activity and tourism demand.

For Wide Bay–Burnett, the upgrades provide an opportunity to strengthen the region’s role as an accessible destination for road travellers. The region’s connection to major Queensland routes means improvements to the Bruce Highway can influence not only local mobility but also wider tourism movement across the state.

What Travellers Should Know Before Driving Queensland’s Bruce Highway

Travellers planning road trips through Queensland should be aware that construction activity will continue across sections of the Bruce Highway as further upgrades progress. While completed projects will improve safety and reliability, some areas may experience temporary traffic arrangements, reduced speeds or construction-related changes.

Before beginning a journey, motorists should check official Queensland traffic information services for current road conditions, closures and travel alerts. The continuing investment means travellers can expect gradual improvements across one of Australia’s most important road corridors.

Closing Update

The Bruce Highway upgrade program is creating a large-scale change in how Queensland regional travel is connected. The Wide Bay–Burnett area is benefitting from the nearly A$9 billion investment. After the upgrades to the intersection at Kolonga, and with planned improvements to the corridor, visitors will be able to self drive more confidently and safer thanks to improved access and a more reliable highway.