The Government of Queensland, Australia, will upgrade Yeppen roundabout and bridge between the Bruce and Capricorn highways for a total cost of A$85m ($82.2m).

The Yeppen roundabout and bridge upgrade programme is aimed to ease traffic congestion, improve safety and enhance driving conditions.

Federal infrastructure and transport minister Anthony Albanese said the upgrade project will duplicate Bruce Highway between the Yeppen Roundabout and the Jellicoe Street / Upper Dawson Road intersection.

"It will also install a slip lane from the Capricorn Highway to the Bruce, erect traffic lights at the intersection between Jellicoe Street and Upper Dawson Road, and make safety improvements at the Port Curtis Road and Ferguson Street intersection," Albanese added.

The intersection duplication project will be co-funded by the federal and state government of Queensland, contributing A$68m ($65.8m) and A$17m ($16.4m), respectively.

"After two years of detailed planning, extensive community consultations and preconstruction activities, we’ve pressed the ‘go’ button on a project that represents a major investment in Rockhampton’s future."

Capricornia MP Kirsten Livermore said the planned improvements will significantly ease congestion at important intersections between the two major highways.

"In particular, the upgrade will improve traffic flow into and out of the Stanwell Industrial Corridor, the Port of Gladstone and the mining areas to the south and west of the City," Livermore added.

"Over the five years to 2008, this section of highway has been the scene of 62 crashes, making it the region’s most dangerous stretch of road."

The new intersection will be beneficial for more than 12,000 motorists and truck drivers who use it every day to commute.