For many years numerous truckies Spy has spoken to have criticised the condition of many stretches of the Flinders Highway between the outskirts of Townsville and Cloncurry.
Rough sections, narrow bridges and poor highway shoulders have been some of their gripes.
The 100km section between Hughenden and Richmond is one of the worst parts.
So, while it will be just a start, drivers will welcome funding to improve the busy route around 20km west of Hughenden.
The $25 million cost of fixing this section of the critical transport corridor – works are due to be delivered by June 2028 – will be jointly funded through federal and state government disaster recovery and resilience programs.
The target stretch was directly impacted during extreme weather events and from heavy freight usage.
Flinders Shire Mayor Kate Peddle said the investment would improve safety, reliability and long-term resilience along a vital east-west freight route.
“The Flinders Highway is a critical lifeline for our region and the broader North-West, connecting communities, supporting industry and enabling the movement of goods across Queensland,” Peddle said.
“Stretching more than 900 kilometres from Townsville to Mount Isa, it plays a key role in transporting minerals from the North-West Minerals Province to the Port of Townsville, while also supporting our livestock industry and local economies.”
The targeted upgrades are expected to address known issues along the corridor, including pavement deterioration, rutting and deformation, all of which can significantly impact reliability following major weather events.
“Following significant rain, this section of road can deteriorate quickly, with potholes, deformation and ongoing maintenance required due to its limited resilience under heavy freight use,” Peddle said.
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