It includes a new bridge over the Pioneer River and an interchange with the Peak Downs Highway.

It provides a bypass of Mackay for Bruce Highway traffic that is immune to flooding and free of signalised intersections.

[1] Stage 1 of the project was expected to cost $540 million, 80% of the funding was from the Commonwealth and the remaining 20% from Queensland.

The route will follow the Mackay Harbour Railway (Port Rail Line).

[3] A project to provide access to Mackay Port, at a cost of $350 million, was in planning in July 2022,[4]