Peak Downs Highway damage could cost tens of millions to repair

Hundreds of workers have been relocated, others are being forced to drive more than three hours extra, while the heavy vehicle industry is taking a financial hit after the closure of a major Qld highway that will cost tens of millions to repair.

Hundreds of workers have been relocated while others are forced to drive up to more than three hours extra to circumvent the damaged section of the Bowen Basins major highway that will cost tens of millions to repair.

The Department of Transport and Main Roads, which is responsible for state-run Peak Downs Highway remains tight lipped on the extent of the damage and repair time frames.

TMR engineers have been onsite this week assessing the highway, which has been closed since Saturday afternoon when a digger – being moved on a Caval Ridge mine haul road underneath, struck the overpass becoming stuck and causing significant damage.

It is understood the digger had crushed the majority of the concrete beams supporting the bridge and the repair bill will likely be in the tens of millions to fix what is considered to be the Isaac region’s busiest highway.

The annual Clermont Wombat Festival set to run May 4-12 might be impacted by the closure of the Peak Downs Hwy after an incident involving a digger.

There are unconfirmed reports the overpass is not longer structurally sound and the replacement time frame could take up to 12 months.

When asked a TMR spokesman said it was still early days the department was still in the process of assessing the initial damage.

“Investigations about the state of the bridge are still ongoing – including if it’s structurally sound,” he said.

“The time frame for repair work to return the structure to a safe condition will be determined once we have assessed the full extent of the damage.

The Peak Downs Highway at near Caval Ridge mine remains closed after an excavator being moved on a mine road struck and damaged the overpass.

“The cost of repairs will be subject to ongoing commercial-in-confidence discussions between TMR and the mine operator.”

Burdekin MP Dale Last has called on TMR to complete the assessment as soon as possible and provide an update to the community.

“Early reports are that there is substantial damage to the bridge – there could be a very lengthy period involved in undertaking repairs,” he said.

“There needs to be a detour in close proximity to that overpass which provides safe passage for vehicles while repairs are undertaken.”

The current detour is via Dysart Clermont Rd and Peak Downs Mine Rd, but it means some drivers are being forced to drive several hours extra.

Burdekin MP Dale Last has called on TMR to provide the Mackay/Isaac community with regular updates about the repair and reopening of the Peak Downs Highway. Picture: Brendan Radke

It is also understood the closure and detour is creating a huge financial impact for the heavy vehicle industry because of the extra time added to the journey – the detour road is not suitable for the massive vehicles.

About 400 people have been relocated from Buffel Park Village to either Moranbah or Dysart because of the closure.

The Peak Downs Highway at near Caval Ridge mine remains closed after an excavator being moved on a mine road struck and damaged the overpass.

A letter has also been sent to contractors, understood to be from BMA, urging that all “non-essential Basin travel should be cancelled to minimise pressure on the region”.

Tania Gillies, Clermont Wombat Festival co-ordinator, is concerned the highway closure might impact the event set to run May 4-12 and celebrates the northern hairy-nosed wombat that called the region its home.

A number of sponsors had already cancelled as a result of the highway closure and Ms Gillies said she was especially concerned about attendance “given that our target audience is largely from the wider Isaac region as well as Mackay district.

There are concerns the closure will impact attendance at the annual Clermont Wombat Festival.

“It is an event that we are working hard to grow with aims that it will be a significant event on the Isaac/Mackay calendar,” she said.

“Of the people booked for our Wombat Under the Stars cocktail evening – more than 40 are coming from Moranbah and Mackay.

“There are many people from Moranbah including stallholders who I know are planning to attend the markets the following day.”

She said she had today been asked if it was possible to move the date of the festival, but that might prove “difficult logistically” given there had already been entertainment, wildlife experience team and special wombat guest already booked.

“We have been fortunate that one of our sponsors Kinetic are providing free bus transport on the market day from Moranbah to Clermont return,” she said.

“We simply urge people to drive safely on the road and hope as many people will take up the free bus option for their travel to attend.”

Originally published as Peak Downs Highway damage could cost tens of millions to repair