High temperature of 38.4 celsius sees part of new Capricorn Highway melt

While Central Queenslanders sought refuge from Tuesday’s searing heat, some motorists ended up in sticky situations while travelling along the Capricorn Highway.

While Central Queenslanders sought refuge from Tuesday’s searing heat, some motorists ended up in a sticky situation while travelling along the Capricorn Highway.

The near 40C temperatures experienced at Gracemere, west of Rockhampton, was too much for part of the newly constructed dual lane Capricorn Highway with the roadway seemingly ‘melting’ in sections, with tar and gravel thrown up under vehicles.

Motorists along Capricorn Highway about 2.30pm on January 4 with a 38.4 temperature resulting in sections on the Rockhampton to Gracemere section of the newly construction dual highway.

A Morning Bulletin reporter drove the section of the highway about 2.30pm, with a passenger filming the road to show how long the melted section was.

The reporter’s passenger commented it was hard to keep the camera straight while the vehicle was in motion due to the unevenness of the road.

Motorists along Capricorn Highway about 2.30pm on January 4 with a 38.4 temperature resulting in sections on the Rockhampton to Gracemere section of the newly construction dual highway.

She and her passenger pulled off to the side of the road to get some photographs, with the crunch of loose gravel occurring as the vehicle was driven off to the side of the road.

Motorists along Capricorn Highway about 2.30pm on January 4 with a 38.4 temperature resulting in sections on the Rockhampton to Gracemere section of the newly construction dual highway.

A Department of Transport and Main Roads spokesperson said they were aware of a bleeding seal on the Capricorn Highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere due to extremely high temperatures.

“We routinely manage bleeding seals by using water to cool the bitumen in the first instance,” they said.

“The contractor was on site from 1.30pm (4 January 2022) cooling the bitumen with water.

“A water truck will continue to be used tomorrow (5 January 2022) to cool the seal from around midday.

“We will continue to monitor the seal and undertake any necessary repairs.”

The $75 million Capricorn Highway duplication project was jointly funded by the federal and Queensland governments with the aim to improve travel times, safety and connectivity in the local area for 18,000 daily motorists, including 2000 heavy vehicles.

“This project is duplicating around five kilometres of the highway between Rockhampton and Gracemere, from two-lanes to four-lanes, to improve road safety, increase freight productivity, slash delays and ensure better access to Rockhampton during flood events,” Capricornia federal MP Michelle Landry said in December 2020.

Overview of work of the Capricorn Highway duplication between Rockhampton and Gracemere.

Flynn MP Ken O’Dowd said the Capricorn Highway was a key supply route for mines in the Bowen Basin and the developing Galilee Basin.

“This upgrade of the Capricorn Highway will support freight connectivity, reduce travel times and improve access to Rockhampton during moderate flood events,” Mr O’Dowd said.

“The duplication will allow for improved road safety by reducing the need for risky overtaking operations that can result in head on coalitions.

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

“This investment demonstrates our continued commitment to making roads safer and more efficient to better support growing communities and economic expansion.”

While evidence of roadworks being carried out is no longer seen on the Capricorn Hwy, it is evident over the hill as Gracemere residents drive home or access local shops.

Works are being carried out on the next stage of the project – the $35 million Lawrie Street upgrade – which will result in four lanes to built from the Capricorn Highway intersection with McLaughlin Street all the way to John Street.

It will also include a new bridge next to Poddy McDonald Bridge at the rail overpass.

Originally published as High temperature of 38.4 celsius sees part of new Capricorn Highway melt