Opposition leader Tony Abbott has promised $7 billion worth of funding over the next ten years to upgrade Queensland’s Bruce Highway.
In Mackay to unveil the plan, Abbott said if the Coalition was elected it would fix the notorious road.
"I want to be an infrastructure prime minister should I have that privilege after the coming election," Abbott said.
"And as I say, on this particular subject, I am much more of a Queenslander than [Prime Minister] Kevin Rudd will ever be."
Abbott said the plan was a significant investment to improve safety on the 1600 kilometre highway where four people lose their lives every month, Brisbane Times reported.
"Our plan will fix the Bruce Highway, not just patch it," he said.
“The Bruce Highway is not only the lifeline of Queensland but it is the gateway to northern Australia.
"This commitment is an integral part of the Coalition’s real action plan for Queensland. We won’t just talk about fixing the Bruce Highway, we will actually do it.”
Under the plan, funding for the upgrades would represent and 8:20 funding split with the Queensland government with the Coalition to provide $2.1 billion over the next four years and $4.6 billion over the following six years.
Proposed works include duplications north of Gympie and south of Carins, as well as ringroads in Mackay, Townsville and Rockhampton and planning for other bypasses.
Queensland Premier Campbell Newman welcomed the funding pledge.
"Improvements will be coming to your local section of the Bruce Highway under the federal coalition," he said.
However Federal Transport Minister Anthony Albanese labelled the oppositions leader’s policy as"smoke and mirrors" because only $2.1 billion would contributed in the first four years.
"It's fine to say we've got a 10-year plan and all the money's in year nine and year 10 and when we get a fourth term Abbott government we might get around to doing something."