Peak Downs Highway (Clermont - Nebo), various locations (Wolfang), rehabilitate and widen

The Wolfang project upgrades 3km of highway. The Wolfang Road intersection project upgrades the right turn onto Wolfang Road and 2 informal stopping bays.

The Peak Downs Highway is considered a key strategic freight route of national significance and is recognised by the Department of Transport and Main Roads' (TMR) Moving Freight Strategy as a critical link supporting the mining and agricultural sectors. It is the principal road freight route supporting mining activities in the Bowen Basin, connecting the area to both the Port of Mackay and to the regional service centre of Emerald.

More than 250,000 tonnes of freight, valued at $600 million, is moved on the Peak Downs Highway per year between Moranbah and Clermont.

The Wolfang project upgraded 3 sections of the highway, improving road user safety by increasing separation between heavy vehicles and other road users, increasing recovery area for errant vehicles and improving pavement protection.

The Wolfang Road intersection project upgraded the right turn onto Wolfang Road, reducing the likelihood of collision with heavy vehicles. The project also improved 2 informal stopping bays.

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Better road access
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth
  • Reduces maintenance
  • Improves ride quality

Key features

  • Improves safety by increasing the separation between heavy vehicles and other road users.
  • Improves freight efficiency by extending the use of Type 2 road trains and reducing delays from associated with oversize-overmass vehicles.
  • Reduces maintenance costs.

Funding

The Wolfang pavement strengthening and widening project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 50:50 basis. Investment ID 456539

The Wolfang Road west intersection upgrade is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

Total investment
$11.5 million
Australian Government
$7.4 million
Queensland Government
$4.1 million

Current status

Works were completed in March 2022.

Project map

Map showing the project area on the Peak Downs Highway