A completion date for the new Gympie Bypass has been confirmed, with the $1.162 billion project set to be opened in October, 2024 – weather and construction conditions permitting.
The project has involved constructing a new 26-kilometre, four-lane divided highway between the existing Bruce Highway interchange at Woondum and Curra, and is the final section of a 62-kilometre, $2.549 billion program of works to upgrade the Bruce Highway between Cooroy and Curra.
The Cooroy to Curra program initially began construction in September, 2009, and the opening will mark the end of a 15-year project to upgrade one of south-east Queensland’s most important freight routes.
Federal Assistant Minister for Regional Development Anthony Chisholm says the opening of the long-awaited project is a milestone in future-proofing Queensland’s transport and road freight industry.
“This is the culmination 15 years worth of construction on the 62-kilometre Bruce Highway upgrade, and it’s a privilege to celebrate this massive achievement,” Chisholm says.
“This vital infrastructure project has been a long time coming for the locals and visitors who travel throughout the Gympie region. So, it’s great to be in town today to officially commission the Gympie Bypass and celebrate its impending completion with the community.
“Not only will this stretch of highway improve safety, flood resilience and capacity for motorists, it will also meet the transport needs of the Gympie and Sunshine Coast communities well into the future.”
“While we’ve experienced some wet weather this week, local construction crews are determined to take advantage of the drier months and good construction conditions to have the bypass open to the public by October this year.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Bart Mellish indicated just how huge this project has been across its long-term operation.
“Our construction partners have built 42 bridges at 23 locations, moved more than 6 million cubic metres of earth, and laid over 142 kilometres of pavement and 610,000 tonnes of asphalt,” Mellish says.
“We are so close to the finish line now, with the final works underway to prepare the new highway for traffic.”
The announcement of the bypass’ opening date was made at a recent community day, where over 3000 people celebrated the milestone by walking a section of the new highway near the Flood Road interchange.
The $1.162 billion project was jointly funded by the federal ($929.6 million) and Queensland state ($232.4 million) governments.
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