More overtaking lanes will be added on one of the nation’s most dangerous highways, with duplication work to start soon on a section of the Bruce Highway north of Mackay.

The site near the town of Coningsby will give motorists safer overtaking opportunities, according to Infrastructure Minister Warren Truss.

“The overtaking lanes are part of a package of up to 50 being built on what is a key freight and tourism link,” Mr Truss said.

The duplication will be about 1.3 kilometres long, providing enough distance for both north and southbound motorists to overtake safely.

“The Australian Government has included in the program a $10 million investment to duplicate the existing road from north of the Coningsby School to the cane rail crossing north of Kochs Road,” Federal Member for Dawson, George Christensen said.

Queensland Member for Whitsunday, Jason Costigan, said the Coningsby duplication will address changing traffic density and movements.

“More than 4,000 vehicles use this stretch of road each day and about 18 per cent of them are heavy vehicles,” Mr Costigan said.

“The Bruce Highway is a 1700 kilometre lifeline for Queensland and it is pleasing that we now have a government in Canberra serious about getting it up to a satisfactory standard.”

Recent reports have shown the 1,550 kilometre Bruce Highway accounts for around 17 per cent of deaths on the entire national network.