Early works have started for a new dual-lane, four-leg roundabout at the Bruce Highway, Walker Street and Showgrounds Road intersection in Maryborough.
The Queensland Government says site preparation is underway, followed by vegetation clearing ahead of major construction expected to begin in early 2027.
The upgrade is intended to address a high-risk intersection while retaining its role as part of the Bruce Highway freight corridor.
What is planned
The roundabout will incorporate Showgrounds Road and preserve all existing access movements and local connections. The 60km/h speed limit on this section of the Bruce Highway will remain.
The government says the project will largely follow the existing road footprint, avoid land resumptions and be built mostly away from current traffic to limit disruption.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg said the project was intended to make the intersection safer for locals and highway traffic.
“We’re mostly building it away from existing traffic to minimise disruption, and we’re starting the early works now so that we can get shovels in the ground as soon as possible and open the roundabout to traffic in 2028.”
What operators should watch
Detailed design is continuing while the preliminary works proceed. TMR says that work includes traffic, geotechnical, environmental and cultural-heritage investigations, utility planning and preparation of detailed construction drawings.
The public material does not yet provide a detailed construction-staging plan for heavy vehicles, lane restrictions or temporary traffic arrangements. Those operational details will matter to through-freight and local operators once major work begins.
Completion is expected in 2028, subject to weather and other conditions.