Joint media release with the Hon Brent Mickelberg MP
- Major progress has been made on construction works on the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap, following significant road damage during the 2019 bushfires.
- A partial redesign of the project has been undertaken, which removes the need for full road closures while the works are carried out.
- The project is expected to be complete in 2027.
Significant strides have been made to restore the two-kilometre bushfire-damaged section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap in the Scenic Rim/Southern Downs region.
Following extensive engagement with the community and stakeholders, including the trucking industry, the Queensland Government has commissioned a partial redesign to minimise major disruptions.
The previous design would have resulted in closures of Cunninghams Gap for 24 months, causing significant impacts to commuters and trucks which use the route as a key freight corridor.
Now, the updated design will see a new rock catch fence built at road level rather than on the slope, resulting in a significant reduction in rock scaling works - alleviating the need for road closures and reducing the impact on communities and industries.
Since late 2022, progress has been made on several fronts above and below the two-kilometre section of road.
About 20,000 square metres (close to two football fields) of rockfall protection mesh has been installed to the slopes above the road, while one kilometre of fencing has been installed at the bottom of the slopes, at road level.
Around 90 helilifts were required to transport materials to the steepest and most mountainous sections of the slopes.
Ongoing works will include delivering a wide centre line treatment on the Highway, with the extra space supporting traffic flows and easier response to vehicle breakdowns.
Additional emergency stopping bays will also be installed - one approximately one kilometre below the Allan Cunningham Monument and two near the crest carpark.
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Federal Minister for Emergency Management Kristy McBain thanked residents and road users for their patience throughout the project.
"This section of highway plays a vital role linking communities in Queensland's southern Darling Downs region, such as Warwick and Inglewood, further west to Goondiwindi, so it's crucial that this section of Cunningham Highway can operate even while the works are underway," Minister McBain said.
"That's why the Australian and Queensland Governments, through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements, have committed to jointly fund this project and it's great to see features like the wide centre line treatment and extra emergency stopping bays will support traffic flow and safety.
"Critically, the project is being delivered through extensive consultation with the community so they can stay informed on the work being done to make sure traffic continues to flow through the Gap while works are ongoing."
Queensland Minister for Transport and Main Roads Brent Mickelberg said delivering natural disaster repairs in a way that allowed for the continued, safe movement of all traffic through the Gap was the top priority.
"We have listened to industry and adapted these works to incorporate design elements that allow the Highway, which is vital freight connection in Southern Queensland, to stay open during these extended repairs," Minister Mickelberg said.
"Whether travelling from interstate or across the state, heavy vehicle operators - especially rural and livestock drivers - are already experiencing the benefits of the reduction of the road grade at the crest," Minister Mickelberg said.
"Fewer heavy vehicle breakdowns not only benefit the operational efficiency for drivers on time-critical trips, but also for traffic moving through the Gap."
Queensland Trucking Association (QTA) Chief Executive Officer, Gary Mahon said the project team working on the Cunninghams Gap reconstruction had done excellent work.
"It is great to see the Queensland Government listening to the QTA and other industry stakeholders and updating the designs of the reconstruction works to prevent significant and prolonged road closures, which would have had a significant impact on the trucking industry," Mr Mahon said.
"They've also listened and understood why and what trucks need to ascend and descend the range. We've had drivers and employers and a variety of industry people at engagement sessions discussing the program of works to ensure that the industry is genuinely consulted.
"While it is only six kilometres of road, it is a complex range to navigate and now there is a whole raft of truck-focused features in the design and construction which will make it safer to navigate and caters for trucks with the latest engine technology.
"The QTA commends the Queensland Government on the level of engagement they continue to undertake on this project to ensure that Cunninghams Gap considers trucks using this key national freight route 24/7."
Additional information:
Images available via Dropbox.
Visit the Project Webpage to view the animation flythrough video for the Cunninghams Gap Reconstruction Project.
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