$6M road upgrade to start on Clermont-Alpha Road

Road safety will be improved for truck drivers and travellers heading to or from coastal centres will have a shorter trip.

Supplied image of a truck driving on Clermont Alpha Road.

Shovels are ready to hit the dirt on a $6 million upgrade to Clermont-Alpha Road in an effort to improve road safety and provide a shorter route to coastal cities for trucks and travellers.

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said works would include paving and sealing more of the designated B-double and road train route, west of Clermont.

“We’re undertaking work to pave and seal more of Clermont – Alpha Road and improve safety for all road users,” he said.

“This includes a five-kilometre stretch, north of Alpha, which we finished sealing last month as part of a $3 million project.

“Both of these projects also help support the Palaszczuk Government’s long-term vision to build an inland freight route from Charters Towers to Mungindi, taking heavy haulage off the Bruce Highway.”

Clermont – Alpha Road has been recognised as a significant link in conjunction with the Peak Downs, Gregory and Capricorn Highways as energy resources in the Galilee Basin are developed over the next 20 years.

Mr Saunders said the upgraded route would create a safer, more direct route for more drivers travelling from the west.

“The road provides a shorter route between Mackay and resource projects in the Galilee Basin by allowing road users to bypass Emerald and reduce their trip by about 100 kilometres, however, the majority is unsealed,” he said.

“We expect heavy vehicle use to increase as mining and gas resources are opened up.

“Clermont – Alpha Road is also being used by more tourists in car and caravan combinations and mobile homes.

“These works will improve safety for all road users on Clermont – Alpha Road by reducing hazards and improving the road‘s accessibility and resistance to heavy rainfall.”

The project been funded through the Palaszczuk Government’s Economic Recovery Strategy: Unite and recover for Queensland Jobs.

“Over the next four years the Palaszczuk Government is delivering a record $27.5 billion roads and transport plan which is creating 24,000 jobs and driving Queensland economic recovery from COVID-19,” Mr Saunders said.

“This includes delivering $17.5 billion worth of project across regional Queensland.”

Work to upgrade Clermont – Alpha Road is expected to be completed by early 2022.

Originally published as $6M road upgrade to start on Clermont-Alpha Road