Caboolture will be a key site in one of the biggest highway upgrade plans in Queensland’s north, with the transport authority announcing a sweeping redevelopment of the Bruce Highway between Anzac Avenue and Caboolture–Bribie Island Road. The proposed upgrade aims to fix chronic traffic congestion and improve safety along a stretch used daily by thousands of commuters, freight vehicles and families.
The project covers 18.8 kilometres of highway and includes plans to widen lanes, redesign interchanges and add infrastructure for walkers and cyclists. The upgrade comes in response to years of traffic bottlenecks and increasing pressure from population growth in and around Caboolture and the Moreton Bay region.
The planned works are designed to support traffic growth well into the future while improving how local and long-distance traffic move through the area.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has confirmed that the first section of work will see the highway expanded from six to eight lanes between Anzac Avenue and Uhlmann Road. From Uhlmann Road to Caboolture–Bribie Island Road, instead of more lanes, the project will introduce multi-lane, one-way collector-distributor roads running alongside the highway. These roads are intended to handle local trips and service centre traffic, reducing the need for direct highway access and the dangerous weaving that currently slows traffic flow.
A Long-Term Fix for a Growing Region
The Bruce Highway is Queensland’s key transport corridor from Brisbane to Gympie, and the Caboolture section plays a critical role in the movement of goods and people. With the population of Moreton Bay expected to keep growing, the highway has struggled to cope with demand, particularly during peak hours. The project is expected to deliver not just smoother traffic but safer travel conditions by reducing merging points, limiting stop-start traffic, and building new bridges over Burpengary Creek.
The proposed collector-distributor roads between Uhlmann Road and Caboolture–Bribie Island Road are central to the plan. TMR ruled out simply adding lanes in this stretch, citing the close proximity of three major interchanges and two service centre entries as a key challenge. Instead, the new distributor roads will keep short trips separate from through traffic and connect directly to upgraded interchanges.
The project also includes the reconstruction of key overpasses, such as Frawley Avenue and Arthur Drewett Drive, which will be raised and lengthened to accommodate the expanded highway footprint. These structures are being redesigned to increase safety and flood resilience — a major concern for the region.
What Caboolture Locals Had to Say
Between 5 October and 20 November 2023, TMR invited the public to give feedback on the upgrade proposal. The response came from all corners of the community — homeowners, businesses, local councils and advocacy groups. More than 90 individual comments were collected, and over 95,000 project newsletters were distributed across the region.
Residents backed the idea of extra lanes, although some called for even more, suggesting five lanes each way. There was cautious support for the collector-distributor system, which many believed could take pressure off the main highway. Others raised concerns about the transition from four to three lanes at the Uhlmann Road interchange, fearing it might create a new bottleneck.
Property resumptions were another key issue. Many locals were worried about how the widened highway and new side roads might affect homes, businesses and community facilities. Others asked for more clarity on the construction timeline, detours, and potential delays during the build.
Feedback also highlighted the community’s growing demand for non-car infrastructure. Many called for wider footpaths, safer crossings and bike paths physically separated from traffic. Comments stressed the need for shaded, accessible pedestrian spaces, particularly for children and older residents. Several respondents also urged the government to invest in public transport improvements alongside road upgrades, pushing for a shift away from car-only planning.
Noise and environmental impacts were raised as well, with residents asking for more details about tree clearing, habitat disruption and the locations of proposed noise barriers. Some suggested specific sites where noise-reduction measures were needed, especially near residential zones.
Funding and Next Steps
The upgrade has a $34-million commitment to develop business. An additional $733 million has been allocated specifically to the section from Anzac Avenue to Uhlmann Road, which will fund detailed design and eventual construction.
Planning and business case development are expected to wrap up by early 2026. Once a construction contract is awarded, more detailed project timelines will follow. In the meantime, early works, landowner engagement and detailed design refinement are continuing.
TMR will prioritise conversations with affected landowners where property impacts can’t be avoided. The agency has committed to keeping the community updated through project newsletters, direct letters, the project website and public contact points. Feedback on the current preferred solution will remain open until 14 September 2025.
Keeping Caboolture Connected
This upgrade is part of a broader state-wide strategy to strengthen Queensland’s major transport routes, but it also reflects the specific needs of a fast-growing community like Caboolture. Local voices have played an important role in shaping the preferred solution, and the final outcome will aim to balance highway efficiency with neighbourhood accessibility, safety and sustainability.
Residents can continue to have their say through the TMR project page or by contacting the department directly via email, phone or post. The department has encouraged anyone with accessibility requirements or who needs translation services to reach out for assistance in contributing to the planning process.
Published 17-July-2025
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