Cunningham Highway (Ipswich – Warwick), 2020 Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements reconstruction works
The department is committed to restoring and repairing the damaged section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap. This 2km stretch, leading up to the Allan Cunningham monument, suffered significant road damage during the bushfires in 2019.
Situated within the Main Range National Park, that is part of the esteemed Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area, the project demands meticulous management to safeguard the surrounding environment. The department's team has faced unique challenges posed by the complex topography, requiring extensive design work, including geotechnical and structural assessments, before initiating the reconstruction process.
Cunningham Highway (Ipswich – Warwick), 2020 Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements reconstruction works project location map
Benefits
- Restores damaged infrastructure
- Contributes to economy
- Contributes to regional growth
Key features
- Scaling and stabilising the slope above the road to reduce the risk of rockfalls.
- Rockfall protection systems:
- About 20,000m2 of rockfall protection mesh has been installed on the upslope.
- Over 1km of fencing at the bottom of the slope to catch falling rocks, is being installed.
- Retaining walls on the downslope to enable sufficient carriageway width to install upslope catch fencing.
- Major reconstruction works at the Gap cutting.
- Replacing and constructing additional concrete barriers.
- Guardrail with rubrail to protect motorcycle riders from impact with posts.
- Wide centre line treatment to increase separation of opposing traffic.
- Constructing an emergency stopping bay 1km before the Allan Cunningham monument.
- Pavement works to restore the surface of the highway.
- Technology to monitor geotechnical systems that will provide real time data of potential large scale rock displacement.
- Works around the Main Range National Park carpark to maintain safety of highway traffic, visitors to the Gap crest and pedestrians.
Project features design
View the full-size project reconstruction map and features.
Funding
The recovery works are jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland Government through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). Investment ID 1452806.
- Total investment
- $134.4 million
- Australian Government
- $100.8 million
- Queensland Government
- $33.6 million
Current status
There will be ongoing traffic changes throughout the project. For the latest traffic and travel information, please check QLDTraffic.Community feedback
Extensive engagement has been undertaken with the freight, agriculture, tourism and construction industries, as well as local businesses and neighbouring communities to gain an understanding of travel movements.
The engagement approach included pop-up sessions at:
- Aratula and Warwick in March 2023
- Aratula and Boonah in April 2023
- Stanthorpe in May 2023 Maryvale, Stanthorpe, Warwick, Aratula and Kalbar in September 2023.
The information provided by industry and the community was very valuable and has resulted in a review of some elements of the project to minimise impacts to road users.
Location of Cunninghams Gap
Cunninghams Gap is situated in Main Range National Park, between the peaks of Mount Cordeaux and Mount Mitchell. It is located near Tregony in the Southern Downs region immediately beside the boundary to Tarome in the Scenic Rim Regional Council area. The area is a popular location for tourists and locals, with many scenic walking trails located within the National Park.
Purpose of the project
The project aims to repair a section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap, which was extensively damaged by severe bushfires in 2019. The highway serves a significant role in transporting people and freight to and from Brisbane and the Port of Brisbane from the west. The bushfires caused slope damage resulting in rock and debris falling onto the highway and increased the likelihood of rock falls, posing a danger to road users.
Project completion date
Due to the severity of damage and complexity of repairs required, the project is expected to continue until mid-2025.
Environmental considerations
The project acknowledges that Cunninghams Gap is situated within the Main Range National Park, that is part of the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area. Meticulous management is being implemented to safeguard the surrounding environment.
Support for local jobs and businesses
The project will provide opportunities for regional jobs and will support local businesses during the construction phase.
Detailed design community engagement
During the detailed design phase in 2021, the department undertook community engagement. For more information, please download our design phase community engagement summary.
Information for heavy vehicle operators
Heavy vehicle operators can find road access and restriction information on the National Heavy Vehicle Regulator website or the Heavy Vehicle Industry Road Report, that can be viewed on the QLDTraffic website.
A series of videos to help truck drivers safely navigate Cunninghams Gap throughout reconstruction was launched by the project.
Subscribe for updates and alerts
For project updates and to receive email/SMS traffic alerts, contact the project team:
- Call: 1800 497 100* (9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday)
- Email: cunninghams_gap@tmr.qld.gov.au
*Free call from anywhere in Australia, call charges apply for mobile phones and payphones. Check with your service provider for call costs