Peak Downs Highway (Clermont - Nebo), Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge Mine, widen and strengthen pavement

Works to widen and strengthen about 14km of the Peak Downs Highway between Clermont and the Peak Downs Mine turnoff in Central Queensland are complete. The project delivered a 9m-wide sealed roadway with 1m-wide road shoulders.

The Peak Downs Highway is a strategic state route used by heavy vehicles associated with mining and agricultural sectors. The section of highway upgraded was one of the narrowest sections connecting Clermont to Mackay. 

Widening the Peak Downs Highway along this section improves safety by providing wider road shoulders, which motorists may need to use if they:

  • accidentally leave the traffic lane
  • need to give way to over-sized vehicles (which are common due to mining activities)
  • are faced with a potential hazard on the roadway. 

Widening and strengthening the highway also helps prevent wear and tear on the road edges, improves safety, prolongs the life of the road and reduces ongoing maintenance costs.  

Benefits

  • Improves safety
  • Increases capacity
  • Improves network efficiency
  • Increases traffic flow
  • Contributes to economy
  • Contributes to regional growth

Key features

  • Improved safety outcomes. 
  • Improved ride quality for road users.
  • Improved reliability and efficiency of freight movements.
  • Reduced accelerated road wear and damage caused by heavy vehicles.
  • Reduced asset maintenance costs.

Funding

This project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

Total investment
$35 million
Australian Government
$28 million
Queensland Government
$7 million

Current status

Construction started in March 2021 and was completed in December 2023.

Peak Downs Highway (Clermont - Nebo), Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge Mine, widen and strengthen pavement location map

Project map

Map of the Peak Downs Highway Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge mine turnoff pavement strengthening and widening project.