A new overpass connecting Bushland Beach, Mount Low and the Bruce Highway in Australia will be opened shortly for traffic.

The bridge will provide a safer link for motorists and is a part of $52m upgrade of the Bruce Highway between Woodlands Shopping Centre and Veales Road.

Federal Transport and Infrastructure Minister Anthony Albanese said that the overpass has been specially designed to improve safety and access for Townsville motorists.

The new road will provide uninterrupted flows of traffic along the highway by splitting north and southbound traffic.

Main Roads Minister and Member for Thuringowa Craig Wallace said that the opening of the overpass to traffic would provide congestion relief to northern beaches residents.

“Once the project was open to traffic, minor works such as landscaping, lighting and drainage would continue through to July 2009,” he added.