• Funding program Roads of Strategic Importance
  • Status In planning
  • Transport mode Road
  • Expected start/finish Mid 2023 - Early 2026
  • Estimated project cost $75,000,000
  • Australian Government contribution $60,000,000
  • Local Council/Shire Barcaldine Regional Council,Central Highlands Regional Council
  • State QLD

Project description

This project will progressively upgrade the Capricorn Highway through pavement strengthening and widening on priority sections between Emerald and Alpha.

The Capricorn Highway is a significant part of Queensland’s freight network, providing an important resource, agriculture, tourism and community link across central western and coastal Queensland. Sections of the highway are currently narrow single seal, posing safety and productivity concerns. Increasing the level of service of the Capricorn Highway will improve safety for all vehicles and increase freight productivity.

This project, alongside two other packages to progressively strengthen and widen the Capricorn Highway, has been added to the Mount Isa to Rockhampton corridor under the Roads of Strategic Importance initiative at the 2022-23 Budget.

These three packages will deliver corridor-level benefits by improving the route’s useability and safety for heavy vehicles, thereby supporting local industry and regional economic growth.

Benefits

Improved road safety for all road users, improved efficiency and network reliability, improved connectivity between people with jobs and services, and goods with markets and Improved freight productivity.

Funding

Total funding of $75 million ($60 million in Australian Government contribution, $15 million Queensland Government contribution).

Timetable

This project is expected to commence construction in mid 2023 and be completed by early 2026.

Project last updated:

Disclaimer: The material contained in this site is made available on the understanding that the Department is not thereby engaged in rendering professional advice for a particular purpose. Before relying on the material in any important matter, users should carefully evaluate the accuracy, completeness and relevance of the information for their purposes and should obtain appropriate professional advice relevant to their particular circumstances.