Queensland inland freight route capacity and safety
Queensland’s Inland Freight Route, from Mungindi (at the New South Wales border) to Charters Towers in North Queensland has a number of constraints impacting both the current and future freight task, including more frequent and heavier loads.
The 1,185 km Inland Freight Route is an important alternative north–south route to the Bruce Highway and North Coast rail line, particularly during extreme weather events. It also forms part of the nationally-accredited Key Freight Network servicing key supply chains and value-adding freight nodes.
Many sections of the corridor have ageing pavements, narrow seal widths, flooding vulnerabilities and amenity concerns through regional towns. This reduces the efficiency, productivity and safety of the route. There are also several bridges along the route that constrain the types of heavy vehicles that can be used.
The Infrastructure Priority List also includes a broader proposal for an Inland Queensland road network upgrade, which includes the Inland Freight Route.
The proposal aims to improve the productive capacity and safety of the Inland Freight Route, enhancing its role as an alternative to the Bruce Highway. This proposal could be addressed through:
- implementing road safety treatments, including fatigue management such as vehicle rest areas,
- widening and strengthening pavements,
- upgrading the road and bridge standards to support higher-mass and higher-productivity vehicles,
- constructing additional lanes for some sections,
- upgrading infrastructure for flood resilience, and
- improving pavement condition.
The Queensland Government is currently undertaking a range of strategic planning initiatives to inform development of a 10-year Inland Freight Route Investment Strategy. This strategy will identify short, medium and long-priorities (along the route) for federal and state Ministerial consideration.
Proponent to develop potential investment options (Stage 2 of Infrastructure Australia’s Assessment Framework).
Refer to Infrastructure Glossary for terms and definitions.