Community-informed redesign brings Cunninghams Gap upgrade closer

A critical redesign has unlocked substantial progress in the restoration of Cunningham Highway over Cunninghams Gap in southern Queensland.

The revised project plans eliminate the need for any full road closures during construction, which will come as welcome news for commuters, freight operators and local communities.

Following extensive community and stakeholder engagement, Queensland's Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) commissioned a redesign to minimise disruption for the region and improve overall safety along the stretch of road.

In particular, this has been informed by local businesses, primary producers and the trucking industry, who have all voiced support for the changes.

Works include the installation of a rock catch fence at road level instead of on the slopes, and extensive uphill overtaking lanes to improve traffic flow.

Other new features to safeguard road users include an enhanced wide centre line and additional emergency stopping bays.

Since late 2022, crews have installed more than 20,000 square metres of rockfall protection mesh – equivalent to nearly two football fields – on some of the area's steepest slopes, and more than 90 helilifts have been needed to transport materials to these challenging locations.

The project is being delivered by TMR to address the extensive damage caused by the 2019 bushfires, and is jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).

Before the redesign it was suggested the highway would need to be shuttered for up to 24 months. Now, works can progress unabated without impacting road connectivity through the region.

Project completion is expected in 2027, with delivery timeframes on track.

Cunningham Highway is a vital transport corridor for Queensland, and a road of national significance, allowing produce from the region to be distributed around the country.

To learn more about the project features and view an artist impression flythrough visit the TMR website.