What’s happening?
The Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection project is now complete. It strengthens transport infrastructure along the north Queensland coastal region and delivers safer journeys for drivers.
The upgrade duplicated a section of the Bruce Highway between the Mackay Ring Road and Bald Hill Road, improving safety and efficiency for the 12,000 vehicles that use the road daily. It also provides consistency for drivers by extending the duplication from the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade, which was completed in September 2022, to the Mackay Ring Road roundabout.
Why it matters
This connection delivers major safety and efficiency improvements for both local motorists and freight operators. It also integrates with key infrastructure, including the Mackay Ring Road, the Mackay Northern Access Upgrade, and the Walkerston Bypass, creating a more predictable and reliable network for the region.
Local impact
In Glenella, the duplication reduces sudden merges and improves visibility, ensuring a safer experience where cars, utes and heavy freight converge at Bald Hill Road. Community patience during the construction period has allowed delivery of these vital upgrades without significant road closures, thanks to the unique top-down temporary fill method used during bridge construction.
By the numbers
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$87 million – total project investment, with $69.6 million from the Australian Government and $17.4 million from the Queensland Government.
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534 direct jobs – supported on average during the construction period.
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12,000 vehicles daily – travel through this section of the Bruce Highway.
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620 tonnes of reinforced steel – used to build the three new overpass bridges.
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$410 million – value of the Mackay Ring Road project completed in 2020, which this upgrade continues.
Zoom in
Key features of the Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road project include two dual-lane overpass bridges, a new port rail overpass, and an upgraded intersection at Bald Hill Road. The three bridges alone required about 620 tonnes of reinforced steel.
Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King MP said, “We’re investing more than $17 billion on projects along the 1,673km long Bruce Highway. While it’s tools down on this section of highway, we’re getting on with more than 40 other projects to improve the drive on one of Queensland’s most important roads.”
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg MP said, “Now completed, the Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection project will be an integral part of an integrated transport network in the region… We understand the impact this had on local residents and road users and we thank the community for its patience while construction of these important upgrades was completed.”
Zoom out
The project builds on the Mackay Ring Road construction completed in 2020. That $410 million project included $328.3 million from the Australian Government and more than $82 million from the Queensland Government.
Senator for Queensland Nita Green said, “The Mackay Ring Road to Bald Hill Road Connection project is a significant upgrade for the Bruce Highway, delivering safety and efficiency improvements for this key freight route. This project demonstrates our government’s commitment to building infrastructure that supports communities and drives productivity across Queensland and our nation.”
State Member for Mackay Nigel Dalton added, “At Bald Hill Road, everything comes together—cars, utes and heavy freight. That’s exactly where safety matters most. By completing this duplication, we’ve reduced sudden merges, improved visibility and delivered a safer, more predictable trip for every driver through Glenella.”
More details HERE.
What to look for next
While this project is now finished, more than 40 other Bruce Highway projects are currently underway, as part of the $17 billion investment program to deliver safer and more efficient journeys across Queensland.
