The long-awaited $155 million Rockhampton–Yeppoon Road upgrade has reached a major milestone today, with the second carriageway officially opening to traffic.
Federal Member for Capricornia, Michelle Landry, said the milestone marks a significant step forward in making the Rockhampton–Yeppoon Road safer, more efficient and better equipped to meet the region’s growing needs.
“I am proud to have secured $85 million in funding for this project under the former Coalition Government’s Roads of Strategic Importance program. With construction beginning in 2023, today’s opening is the first major step towards the full completion of this vital upgrade,” Ms Landry said.
Rockhampton–Yeppoon Road is one of Central Queensland’s most important transport corridors, carrying up to 11,600 vehicles each day, including around 1,000 heavy vehicles.
“This road underpins freight, forestry, defence and tourism industries, as well as the daily commute of thousands of locals travelling between the Capricorn Coast and Rockhampton,” Ms Landry said.
“But more importantly, this upgrade will save lives. Too many serious accidents have occurred on this stretch of road, including the heartbreaking death of a young girl at the Artillery Road intersection in 2019. That’s why I fought so hard to deliver this funding because safer roads mean fewer families enduring unimaginable loss.”
Ms Landry said the second carriageway, along with safer intersections and improved traffic flow, would deliver long-term benefits for both motorists and the economy.
“This upgrade is about protecting families, reducing congestion and ensuring our industries can keep moving. It’s a win for every road user and a win for our local economy,” she said.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads advise the following traffic changes have commenced this week:
• Traffic will transition onto the new duplicated carriageways, with one lane of traffic in each direction
• Temporary closure of right-turn movements into Dairy Inn Road and Artillery Road from Rockhampton-Yeppoon Road
• Permanent closure of through traffic movements between Dairy Inn Road and Artillery Road and permanent closure of right-turn movements from Dairy Inn Road and Artillery Road, with motorists to use the permanent modified left-out/U-turn facilities
• Four new U-turn facilities open along Rockhampton–Yeppoon Road located at Iron Pot Road intersection, and 1.7km east of Cabbage Tree Creek Road and 800m east and 685m west of Artillery Road and Dairy Inn Road
• Cabbage Tree Creek Road intersection temporary traffic changes including no right-turn in (left-turn in/left-turn access only at Yeppoon Road)
• Access 9 permanently closed
