The Government of Queensland in Australia has announced a A$509.7m ($376m) investment for the 2018-19 budget to improve road and transport infrastructure in North Coast district.

The budget will be delivered to the district under the Queensland Transport and Roads Investment Programme (QTRIP).

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said: “Funding for the Sunshine Coast and Moreton Bay area is part of the Queensland Government’s record spend on road and transport infrastructure across the state for the third year running, with an investment of about A$21.7bn ($16bn) over the next four years.

“We are also providing A$3.7m ($2.7m) in 2018-19 through the 50:50 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme to support councils to develop the local transport infrastructure they need.”

“This will include A$2.917bn ($2.1bn) of works planned just for this area alone, over the next four years, supporting an average of 2,689 direct jobs.”

During 2018-19, the government will focus on the Bruce Highway Upgrade Project, which will see the widening of the highway from four to six lanes between Caloundra Road to Sunshine Motorway, as well as an upgrade of the interchanges for a total cost of A$812.9m ($601m).

Bruce Highway will have safety barriers installed between Beerburrum and Cooroy for A$79.8m ($59m).

Work will begin on safety treatments for the Burpengary Caboolture Road and Beerburrum Road Route Safety Project between the Bruce Highway and D’Aguilar Highway overpass for a total cost of $28.8m.

Caboolture Connection Road Route Safety is also included in the projects set to receive funding.

Bailey further added: “We are also providing A$3.7m ($2.7m) in 2018-19 through the 50:50 Transport Infrastructure Development Scheme to support councils to develop the local transport infrastructure they need.”