Safety upgrades on a 3.8km section of the busy Capricorn Highway near Emerald in Queensland won’t be finished until next year, said the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR).
In an update to industry this week, TMR advises that roadwork is now underway from Bonnie Doon Road to Corkscrew Creek, east of Emerald on a 10-day-on and four-day-off roster between 6am and 6pm.
The project includes widening and sealing of existing pavement, wide centre line treatment, audio tactile line marking and improved drainage.
Lane closures, speed restrictions and traffic control will be in place for the duration of the works.
“Construction commenced in April 2024 and is expected to be completed mid-2025,” a TMR spokesperson told Big Rigs.
Heavy vehicle operators are reminded to exercise caution and observe all warning signs, speed restrictions and traffic control directions when travelling through the roadworks zone, TMR added.
TMR’s heavy vehicles unit also said that any heavy vehicle with a load width of more than 4m should be raised to a height of at least 1.2m to clear the bollards, and operators must contact Brendan Crampton via phone on 0438 995 437 at least seven days prior to travel.
The $24 million road safety upgrade project is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on a 50:50 basis under the Road Safety Program 2023-2025.
As the main east-west freight corridor connecting the Bruce Highway in the east with the Landsborough Highway in the west, the Capricorn Highway supports general freight, agricultural movements, and resource sector traffic.
It is estimated that 15 percent of the 2500 vehicles using the highway daily are heavy freight trucks.