Australia’s Vassallo Constructions has secured a contract for the construction of a new A$15m ($11m) dual-lane roundabout at the intersection of the Bruce Highway and Hay Point Road in Queensland.

Construction of the new 80m-wide roundabout is scheduled to be initiated next week and is being delivered to improve safety for motorists.

Deputy prime minister and minister for infrastructure and regional development Warren Truss said: "Safety on the Bruce Highway is a national priority and this project is part of an unprecedented programme of works to fix dangerous stretches and notorious black spots."

"This project is part of an unprecedented programme of works to fix dangerous stretches and notorious black spots."

During the construction phase, the project will support about 35 jobs.

Federal member for Capricornia Michelle Landry said: "More than 12,000 vehicles drive through this busy intersection each day, including freight traffic heading to the Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminals-important contributors to the Queensland economy.

"The needs of the road freight industry were carefully considered during the project’s design phase, with a particular focus on ensuring heavy vehicles can access the two coal terminals without causing major disruptions to normal traffic flows.

Following completion, the new dual-lane roundabout will make the intersection much safer and ensure motorists don’t need to conduct dangerous manoeuvres to pass slow-moving freight vehicles.

The new dual-lane roundabout, which will replace the temporary traffic signals currently in place at the intersection, is expected to be completed and open to traffic by mid-2016.

The Australian Government has provided funding for the dual-lane roundabout project.