• North Queensland Region
  • Natural Disaster Program
Location
Mount Spec Road, between the Bruce Highway intersection and Paluma
Timing
Reconstruction works are expected to be complete in June 2027, construction and weather conditions permitting.
Status
Construction

Mount Spec Road reconstruction works

The Queensland Government is making significant progress on reconstructing 35 disaster-damaged sites along Mount Spec Road. Reconstruction works are ongoing at multiple locations, with nine sites completed and crews working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week while maintaining access for residents, businesses and visitors.

Heritage listing

Mount Spec Road’s heritage listing must be considered during the design and reconstruction of the road. The heritage listing covers the road and associated infrastructure, including bridges, culverts, stone pitched kerb and channels, and road furniture.

Reconstruction works have been designed to balance heritage requirements while restoring the road to its pre-event function.

Benefits

  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Restores damaged infrastructure

Key features

  • Restoring access for communities and businesses
  • Restoring damaged roads and road surfaces
  • Restoring damaged slopes and batters.

Funding

The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Current status

The contract for the reconstruction works was awarded to Civil Mining & Construction Pty Ltd in October 2025.

Permanent reconstruction works are underway at the temporary shipping container safety wall site. These works include a debris-flow barrier and specialised solutions to stabilise and reconstruct the landslip area.

Other current works include:

  • slope stabilisation
  • pavement repairs
  • culvert reconstruction
  • erosion control measures.

The road geometry, together with narrowed sections associated with ongoing reconstruction works, limits access for some vehicle types.

As a guide:

  • vehicles towing small trailers are suitable, such as a dual cab 4WD towing a box trailer
  • larger trailers including larger caravans and other long or heavy vehicle combinations, are not suitable.

Vehicle escort systems

A daytime vehicle escort system operates between 6am to 6pm daily, with escorted movements departing on the hour, every hour with 2 vehicle escorts operating simultaneously at both entry points to Mount Spec Road. The final service departs at 6pm each day.

An overnight vehicle escort system is available between 6pm and 6am during the scheduled road closure, subject to work operations. Customers requiring overnight escorted access should contact TMR’s Northern district. Emergency access does not require pre-booking.

Mount Spec Road reconstruction works

Video Transcript
The large boulder located near Little Crystal Creek bridge was successfully blasted earlier in November 2025.
Slope stabilisation solutions explained. The solutions featured here are for example purposes only and not indicative of the specific design required for the pictured damaged slope. Slope stabilisation solutions are based on geotechnical assessments and the needs of each individual site.  Gabion baskets Gabion baskets are box-shaped wire of galvanised steel mesh filled with rock or concrete. When stacked, they form a wall to stabilise roads constructed on a slope. > Mesh installation Constructed from a composite 3D mat structure embedded in a steel wire mesh, this reinforcement provides tensile strength and erosion protection and is used in conjunction with soil nails to reinforce slopes.  Soil nails Soil nails are steel bars grouted into holes drilled into the slope. Up to 12m long, they are used in combination with shotcrete or mesh to stabilise slopes. Rockfill embankment Rockfill embankments rebuild and protect damaged slopes, using sized rocks to slow water flow and prevent erosion.
Slope stabilisation solutions explained
The solutions featured here are for example purposes only and not indicative of the specific design required for the pictured damaged slope. Slope stabilisation solutions are based on geotechnical assessments and the needs of each individual site.

Gabion baskets
Gabion baskets are box-shaped wire of galvanised steel mesh filled with rock or concrete. When stacked, they form a wall to stabilise roads constructed on a slope.

Mesh installation
Constructed from a composite 3D mat structure embedded in a steel wire mesh, this reinforcement provides tensile strength and erosion protection and is used in conjunction with soil nails to reinforce slopes.

Soil nails
Soil nails are steel bars grouted into holes drilled into the slope. Up to 12m long, they are used in combination with shotcrete or mesh to stabilise slopes.

Rockfill embankment
Rockfill embankments rebuild and protect damaged slopes, using sized rocks to slow water flow and prevent erosion.

Project map

Mount Spec Road rehabilitation project map
Map showing the location of reconstruction works along Mount Spec Road, between Paluma and Townsville. There are 35 damaged sites identified for repairs that are marked as ‘U’ for upslope and ‘D’ for downslope.

Last updated: 31 August 2026