A Bruce Highway upgrade at Isis River will target freight efficiency and safer local access in Queensland’s Wide Bay-Burnett region, with construction expected to begin in July 2026.
The Bruce Highway and Buxton Road intersection upgrade will deliver dedicated right- and left-turn lanes into Buxton Road, the local service station, and the fruit orchard, as well as improved access for nearby property owners.
The works form part of the Australian and Queensland governments’ broader program to improve the Bruce Highway, one of the state’s most important freight and regional transport corridors.
A separate intersection upgrade is also underway at the intersection of Booral Road and Boundary Road in Hervey Bay, with works designed to improve safety, ease congestion and support local growth.
Why is the Bruce Highway upgrade important for freight?
The Bruce Highway carries long-distance freight, regional supply chains and local commercial traffic through the Wide Bay-Burnett region.
At Isis River, the Buxton Road intersection provides access to local businesses, rural properties and community traffic entering one of Queensland’s busiest transport corridors.
Dedicated turning lanes are expected to reduce conflict between through traffic and turning vehicles, improving safety while helping maintain traffic flow for freight operators using the Bruce Highway.
Federal Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Minister Catherine King said the project would support road safety and the regional industry.
“The Bruce Highway is a lifeline for Queensland’s economy, connecting communities and supporting industries across the state,” King said.
“This upgrade will not only improve safety but also enhance freight efficiency, helping local businesses thrive and grow.”
What access improvements will be delivered at Isis River?
The Bruce Highway and Buxton Road works will improve access to Buxton Road, the nearby service station and the local fruit orchard.
The project will also provide better access for nearby property owners, addressing local concerns about safety and connectivity at the intersection.
Construction is scheduled to start in July 2026 and is expected to take about 12 months, subject to favourable weather.
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the project addressed long-standing community feedback.
“This intersection upgrade strikes the right balance of safety, access and efficiency in one of the region’s most important transport corridors,” Mickelberg said.
Member for Burnett Stephen Bennett said the start of construction would be welcomed locally.
“Buxton locals know how important these upgrades are. For a long time, the community has voiced the need for better and safer roads to grow and thrive,” Bennett said.
How do the Hervey Bay works fit into the wider road program?
While the Bruce Highway upgrade is the primary freight story, works at Booral Road and Boundary Road in Hervey Bay point to broader investment in Wide Bay’s road network.
Major construction has started on the Urangan intersection, which carries more than 12,000 vehicles each day.
The project will replace the existing T-intersection with a three-leg roundabout designed to improve safety and traffic flow.
It will also include a realigned Booral Road and Walkers Road intersection with safer left-in, left-out access, concrete median islands, pedestrian crossings on all approaches and a new off-road shared path for cyclists and pedestrians.
The works aim to improve local connectivity at a key gateway to Urangan, where population growth and visitor traffic have increased pressure on the road network.
The Buxton Road intersection upgrade will enter construction in July, with traffic management expected during the 12-month build.
At Hervey Bay, preparatory works have already included the relocation of underground services and the management of asbestos-containing material before construction progresses.