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

This project will widen and strengthen approximately 14km of the Peak Downs Highway from Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge Mine turnoff, between Clermont and the Peak Downs Mine turnoff in Central Queensland. The project will provide 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 being upgraded is one of the narrowest sections connecting Clermont to Mackay. 

Widening the Peak Downs Highway along this section will improve 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); or
  • are faced with a potential hazard on the roadway. 

Widening and strengthening the highway will also help prevent wear and tear on the road edges, improve safety, prolong the life of the road and reduce ongoing maintenance costs. 

 

Benefits

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

Key features

Widening and strengthening this section of highway will deliver:

  • 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.

The total cost of this project is $35 million and will be delivered as part of the Northern Australia Roads Program (NARP), jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments on an 80:20 basis. The Australian Government is contributing $28 million and the Queensland Government is contributing $7 million. Investment ID 299439

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

Current status

Construction started in March 2021 and is expected to be completed by May 2022.   Multiple sections will be upgraded at the same time along the highway, with each section about 1km long. Two-way traffic flow will be maintained where possible using side-tracks and temporary road widenings. Single-lane operation will be required along large sections of the highway. 

Project map

Project map

Map of the Peak Downs Highway Wuthung Road to Caval Ridge mine turnoff pavement strengthening and widening project which is delivering $35 million worth of road improvements to improve freight movement and road safety.