The completed works cover the highway between Sandy Corner and Collinsons Lagoon, which improved the safety, flood resistance and freight efficiency. Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen, said the upgrade involved a range of safety improvements.

“The completed works comprise a realignment of the highway, a new southbound overtaking lane, intersection improvements and construction of an overpass which separates road and rail infrastructure,” Christensen said.

Minister Assisting the Premier on North Queensland Coralee O'Rourke said the “project involved the construction of more than 3km of new highway and the strengthening and widening of a further 2km along the existing highway”

The newly announced funding is for the upgrade of the Yellow Gin Creek Bridge. Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss said that this “section of the Bruce Highway provided an important link for inter-state and inter-regional freight movements, with heavy vehicles making up around one quarter of daily road users”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads, Road Safety and Ports, Mark Bailey, said that the project would replace the current low-level floodway across Yellow Gin Creek with a new bridge. Further, the project will include upgrades to the Bruce Highway on either side of the bridge.

Construction is scheduled to begin in the middle of this year and conclude in late 2016.