The Seymour Whyte-John Holland joint venture with AECOM and The Infrastructure Group joint venture between Bielby, BMD Constructions, JF Hull and Albem Pty Ltd with ARUP Group and HDR Inc. will also be asked to bring the project forward.

The stretch of road 50 kms south of Townsville was one of the most notorious sections of the highway said Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester.

“… in recognition of the urgent need to fix the problem, we are bringing the start of works forward nine months ahead of schedule to mid 2018,” Mr Chester said.

The Australian Government’s $412 million commitment to the project would be funded under the 10-year, $8.5 billion Bruce Highway Upgrade Programme being delivered in partnership with the Queensland Government which will contribute more than $100m.

Particular focus was placed on their plans for engaging local businesses and employees, said Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey.

“Construction is expected to start in August 2018 with the two shortlisted companies now preparing design and construct tenders for the project,” Mr Bailey said.

“Local businesses now have the opportunity to get involved in one of the largest projects the region has seen and I encourage them to contact the two shortlisted companies.”

The works will replace the narrow Haughton River Bridge with a higher, wider bridge and upgrade around 14 kilometres of the highway where it crosses the floodplain between Ayr and Townsville.

Preliminary work has been undertaken with exploratory drilling works recently completed for the installation of the new bridge’s foundations.

It is expected that the contract for the project will be awarded in early 2018, with construction to mid 2018.

The project is expected to be complete by mid-2021.”