Capricorn Highway (Rockhampton - Duaringa) Rockhampton to Gracemere Duplication

Project Description

The Capricorn Highway is Central Queensland's principal east-west freight corridor and is part of Australia's national Key Freight Route network. The Highway also forms part of Queensland's drive-tourism network, linking the Capricorn Coast to Outback Queensland.

This project will duplicate (widen from two-lanes to four-lanes) approximately 5km of the Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere.

This project is one of a number of commitments made by the Australian Government to undertake works on the Capricorn Highway.

Benefits

The project will support the movement of people and freight and will support the economic development of northern Australia.

The project will provide the following benefits:

• improved transport efficiency by providing increased capacity, which will reduce delays, improve travel times and allow reinstatement of the 100km/hr speed limit
• improved freight productivity for High Productivity Vehicles accessing Rockhampton
• improved road safety through reduced risk of head-on crashes, removing the need for high-risk over-taking manoeuvres and seperation of cyclists and pedestrians from vehicles
• improved access to Rockhampton during moderate flood events

Funding

The Australian Government has committed up to $59.99 million towards this $74.99 million project.

Timetable

Construction commenced in May 2019 and is expected to be completed in May 2021, weather permitting.