Road Photos & Information: Queensland
Castlereagh Highway, Carnarvon Highway, Warrego Highway, Carnarvon Developmental Road, Dawson Highway, Gregory Highway and Gregory Developmental Road (National Route 55) (Decommissioned)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 1237 km
- Termini:
- Northern: Flinders Hwy (NR66), Broughton (Charters Towers)
- Southern: NSW-QLD Border, Hebel
- Miscellaneous:
- Continued as Castlereagh Highway (NR55) in New South Wales
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Hebel, Dirranbandi, St George, Surat, Roma, Injune, Rolleston, Springsure, Emerald, Capella, Clermont, Belyando and Charters Towers
Route Numbering:
- Current: A7 A55
- Former: 55
- Multiplexed with: A2 66 49 70
- Road Authority Internal Classification: 1
- 18D (Roma) 1
- 24B and 24C (St George to Roma) 1
- 24D (Roma to Injune) 1
- 24E (Injune to Rolleston) 1
- 27A (Springsure to Emerald) 2
- 27B (Emerald to Clermont) 2
- 27C (Clermont) 2
- 37A (NSW Border to St George) 1
- 46D (Rolleston to Springsure) 2
- 98A (Clermont to Belyando Crossing) 2
- 98B (Belyando Crossing to Charters Towers) 2
General Information:
National Route 55 was a rural highway that linked the New South Wales Central West with North Queensland. The route was a mostly single carriageway route, linking a number of key towns and highways in the rural heartland of NSW and QLD.
The Queensland portion serviced a number of farming communities, most of which produce cattle or cotton.
- National Highway A2, for 5 km, Roma.
- National Route 66, for 1.5 km, Emerald.
- State Route 49, for 10 km, St George.
- State Route 70, for 11 km, Clermont.
History:
- 2004: Widening and bitumen sealing of the Castlereagh Highway south from Dirranbandi. 3
- 2005: NR55 decommissioned and replaced by A7 between Charters Towers and Roma. 4 NR55 replaced by A55 between Roma and NSW Border. Construction of new approaches and bridge over Narran River near Dirranbandi. 5
NSW-QLD Border to Charters Towers
NSW / QLD Border:
Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) as it crosses from New South Wales into Queensland at Hebel, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Black Advance Directional Sign:
Black AD sign that likely predates the introduction of NR55 approaching Bollon-Dirranbandi Rd at Dirranbandi, December 2003. NR55 turned right at this location.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Black Reassurance Directional Sign:
Black distance sign that likely predates the introduction of NR55 at Dirranbandi, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at Noondoo, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Black Advance Directional Sign:
Black AD sign at St George approaching Balonne Hwy (SR49), December 2003. The SR49 duplex began at this junction.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at St George, December 2003. Note the incorrect shield for SR49.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at St George, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at St George approaching Carnarvon Hwy (NR46), December 2003. NR46 is straight ahead and NR55 turned right at this junction and became Castlereagh Hwy, contrary to the sign.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign on Carnarvon Hwy (NR55) at Roma, April 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Trailblazer & Kilometre Plate:
NR55 trailblazer and kilometre plate at Euthulla, April 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Charters Towers to NSW-QLD Border
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Carnarvon Hwy (NR55) at Euthulla approaching Roma-Taroom Rd, April 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Carnarvon Hwy (Quintin St) (NR55) at Roma approaching Warrego Hwy (NH-A2) and Bowen St, April 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Black Reassurance Directional Sign:
Black distance sign at Roma, April 2004.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
ID sign on Moonie Hwy (SR49) approaching Carnarvon Hwy (NR55 / SR49), December 2003. The SR49 duplex along NR55 began at this location.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Reassurance Directional Sign:
Distance sign at St George, December 2003. Note the incorrect shield type and missing SR49 shield.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at St George approaching Balonne Hwy (SR49), December 2003. The SR49 duplex ended at this junction.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Trailblazer:
NR55 trailblazer on Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) at St George, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Noondoo approaching Mungindi Rd, December 2003. NR55 turned right at this location.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Dirranbandi:
Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) as it passes through Dirranbandi, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Trailblazer:
NR55 trailblazer on Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) at Dirranbandi, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Entering Hebel:
Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) as it entered the town of Hebel, December 2003.
Image © Michael Greenslade
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign on Castlereagh Hwy (NR55) approaching Hebel-Goodooga Rd, December 2003. NR55 turned left at this location. Note the missing NR55 shield.
Image © Michael Greenslade
2 QLD Government, Department of Main Roads, The State Road Network of Queensland Map, Central Highlands District 15, August 2004.
3 Balonne Shire Council, Annual Report 2003-2004.
4 Sam Laybutt (Ozroads).
5 Balonne Shire Council, Annual Report 2004-2005.