The Albanese and Crisafulli governments are delivering another major milestone under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, with construction set to begin later this month on safety upgrades at Rungoo, south of Cardwell in far north Queensland.

The project will upgrade a 3.8-kilometre section of the Bruce Highway between Bowder Creek and Damper Creek.

This will delivering wider road shoulders, wide centre line treatment and audio tactile line marking to improve safety and reduce the risk of serious crashes, helping Queenslanders get home sooner and safer.

The start of construction follows the awarding of contracts for three major safety projects in the Cassowary Coast region and marks another step forward in delivering practical improvements through the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.

For local communities, freight operators and visitors, the project means a safer and more reliable highway, helping support tourism, regional industry and the thousands of motorists who rely on the Bruce every day.

The Rungoo section of the Bruce Highway has a concerning safety history. Between January 2019 and January 2025, 21 crashes were recorded on this section of road, resulting in seven fatalities and 20 hospitalisations.

The project forms part of the $9 billion Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, funded on an 80:20 basis by the Albanese and Crisafulli governments.

This is the largest investment ever made in improving safety on the Bruce Highway, with projects now being delivered right along the corridor between Gympie and Cairns.

Quotes attributable to Federal Minister for Infrastructure, Transport, Regional Development and Local Government Catherine King:

"It is encouraging to see significant progress under the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program.

"The Bruce Highway is a critical transport link for Queensland, connecting communities and supporting freight and industry across the state.

"Through our joint investment in the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program, we're delivering targeted improvements where they can make a real difference to the safety of motorists.

"The award of these contracts is another important step towards getting these safety improvements delivered for everyone who relies on this section of the Bruce Highway."

Quotes attributable to Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg:

"The project demonstrates the success of the Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program and the commitment from the Crisafulli Government to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer.

“Working with the Commonwealth, the Crisafulli Government is getting on with delivering projects up and down the Bruce, all designed to get Queenslanders home sooner and safer.

“Under the 80:20 funding deal we struck with the Commonwealth – which we fought hard to deliver – every cent of the $9 billion is being spent upgrading the Bruce Highway between Gympie and Cairns.

"The Rungoo section has a well-documented crash history, and these upgrades target a known high-risk location with proven safety treatments that are designed to reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.

“We told Queenslanders were committed to fixing the Bruce and the works underway up and down the spine of our state shows we’re doing what we said we would.

“Already the completed works are already making a real difference for motorists, regional communities and freight operators between Gympie and Cairns.” 

Quotes attributable to Federal Assistant Minister for Northern Australia and Cairns based Senator for Queensland Nita Green:

"The Bruce Highway Targeted Safety Program is delivering improvements at high-risk locations to help reduce the frequency and severity of crashes.

“With thousands of vehicles travelling along the Bruce Highway each day, these upgrades are a big win for locals, freight operators and tourists across the region.

“With works getting underway, these projects are another example of our commitment to delivering safer and more reliable roads for Queensland.”

Quotes attributable to State Member for Hinchinbrook Wayde Chiesa:

"Local communities will be glad to see work get underway on the long-awaited Bruce Highway upgrade at Rungoo.

“Whether its families heading into town, bus drivers on their daily runs, truckies moving freight or visitors exploring our region, people rely on this stretch of the Bruce every day. 

“Locals have been waiting a long time for this upgrade, and I’m pleased the Crisafulli Government is getting on with the job. 

"Making the highway safer at Rungoo will make a real difference for everyone travelling between Hinchinbrook and the Cassowary Coast.”