Motorists in the Darling Downs, Fitzroy and South West region will soon have safer roads after an $8.5 million funding injection from the Australian and Queensland governments.

Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport, Anthony Albanese, and Queensland Main Roads Minister, Warren Pitt, said the funding would be used for on-going maintenance work to improve road safety in the region.

“Queensland’s south-west is important to the state’s economy and this funding will not only improve road safety, but also freight efficiency on these vital transportation routes,” Mr Albanese said.

“Roads in these areas suffer from the effects of extreme weather conditions which can impact the lifespan of the road surface.

“Resealing sections of roads is a cost-effective way to extend the life of the road network across Queensland.

“The Australian Government is contributing $922,000 towards the resealing works, for national network roads in the region.

“This is funded from the Australian Governments annual contribution to Queensland for maintenance of the network, which in 2008-09 totals $67.76 million.

“This funding will also assist in maintaining employment opportunities for locals in these regions,” Mr Albanese said.

Road resealing involves spraying bitumen over existing sealed sections, and then applying a surfacing layer of evenly sized stones to help maintain resistance to water and cracking.

Mr Pitt said the resealing work on 310 kilometres of road is part of a long-term asset-protection strategy to preserve roads against wear and tear caused by weather, traffic and other factors.

“Maintaining Queensland’s regional roads network is one of Main Roads’ top priorities,” Mr Pitt said.

Boral Asphalt and SAMI Road Services will complete the asphalt work, weather permitting, by the end of April.

Roads scheduled to be resealed in the regions include:

• Fitzroy Development Road


• Leichhardt Highway (Taroom – Banana)


• Leichhardt Highway (Taroom – Miles)


• Jackson – Wandoan Road


• Warrego Highway (Roma – Miles)


• Warrego Highway (Mitchell – Morven)


• Warrego Highway (Morven – Charleville)


• Wallumbilla South Road


• Carnarvon Highway (Surat – St George)


• Carnarvon Highway (St George – Surat)


• Carnarvon Highway (Roma – Injune)


• Carnarvon Highway (Injune – Rolleston)


• Roma Southern Road


• Mitchell – St George Road


• Mitchell – Forestvale Road


• Landsborough Highway (Morven – Augathella)


• Mitchell Highway (Charleville – Augathella)


• Quilpie – Adavale Road


• Quilpie – Thargomindah Road


• Diamantina Developmental Road (Quilpie – Windorah)


• Dooper Development Road (Quilpie – Bundeena)

For more information, including specific locations for resealing works, please contact Main Roads South West Regional Office on 4622 9511 or use the ‘Contact Us’ function on the Main Roads’ website at www.mainroads.qld.gov.au.