Contractors interested in designing and delivering the realignment of the Bruce Highway north of the Cardwell Range have been invited to submit their best bid.

Federal Infrastructure and Transport Minister Anthony Albanese and Queensland Main Roads Minister Craig Wallace said the federally-funded project will provide better and safer driving conditions.

“This highly-anticipated project is another example of our Nation Building for Recovery strategy at work creating jobs and building the transport infrastructure vital to our nation’s long-term economic prosperity,” said Mr Albanese.

“In fact, this project is just one part of the $2.6 billion investment program the Rudd Labor Government has earmarked for the Bruce Highway. All up, we’ve set aside some $8.6 billion to modernise and maintain Queensland’s rail and road infrastructure.”

Mr Wallace said the 4.2 kilometre Cardwell Range realignment project will start approximately 15 kilometres north of Ingham.

“We’re anticipating some very competitive tenders for this project and we should be in a position to select the two best proposals by the end of November, and then choose the successful contractor by the end of March 2010,” said Mr Wallace.

“There is considerable regional support for this project which will reduce the severity of the existing steep grades, provide climbing lanes on both sides of the range for heavy vehicles and construct an overpass of the Rungoon railway crossing.

“This section of highway also passes through the Girrigun National Park so we will be placing great emphasis on minimising any environmental impacts identified during the planning period.

“We will continue to work closely with the Rudd Labor Government to deliver the road infrastructure vital to our State’s continuing prosperity.”