Road Photos & Information: Queensland
Peak Downs Highway (State Route 70) (Mackay / Whitsunday Region)
Statistics:
- Length:
- 267 km
- Termini:
- Northern: Bruce Hwy (A1) and Archibald St (unnumbered), Ooralea
- Southern: Gregory Developmental Road (A7), Clermont
- Suburbs, Towns & Localities Along Route:
- Clermont, Moranbah, Coppabella, Nebo, Epson, Hazledean, Eton, Victoria Plains, Greenmount, Walkerston, Te Kowai and Ooralea
Route Numbering:
- Current: 70
- Road Authority Internal Classification: 1
- 33A (Clermont to Nebo)
- 33B (Nebo to Ooralea)
General Information:
State Route 70 is an undivided rural highway linking the Bowen Basin mining regions with the coast. It passes through bushland, industrial, rural, commercial and residential areas. Towns along the route lessen as the route travels further from the coast and crosses the Great Dividing Range.
History:
- May 2008: Work commenced on an upgrade to the Bee Creek floodway, road widening and concrete protection work, between Nebo and Clermont. 2
- October 2008: Upgrade works commenced on an 8.1 kilometre section of the Peak Downs Highway at Myall Creek, located about 22 kilometres northeast of Clermont. The widening project provided an 8.5 metre sealed road. 3
- May 2009: Work started on an additional overtaking lane near Cut Creek, 22 kilometres north of Nebo. 4
- June 2009: Opening of realigned routing near Clermont Mine. 5
- October 2009: Completion of road surface rehabilitation and widening works on a 4.8 kilometre section between Cut Creek and Retreat, providing motorists with a 10.4 metre wide sealed road. Completion of an overtaking lane near the Retreat Hotel. 6
- November 2010: Upgrade works on the Peak Downs Highway and Moranbah Access Road intersection completed, providing a westbound right turn lane on the Peak Downs Highway. 7
- 2012: Widening works on the Peak Downs Highway at Walkerston between Kellys and Bergmans Roads. 8
Clermont to Ooralea
Reassurance Directional Sign:
RD sign at Clermont, August 2014.
Image © Ed Huang
Advance Directional Sign:
AD sign at Alexandra approaching Mackay-Eungella Rd (SR64), September 2014.
Image © Peter Renshaw
1 QLD Government, Department of Transport and Main Roads, The State Road Network of Queensland Map, 30 June 2010, Mackay / Whitsunday Region, November 2022.
2 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway upgrades to improve safety, 9 May 2008.
3 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway upgrade to improve safety, 29 September 2008.
4 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Overtaking lane to increase safety and capacity on Peak Downs Highway, 21 May 2009.
5 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway realignment to open soon, 18 June 2009.
6 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Motorists benefit from double upgrade on Peak Downs Highway, 2 October 2009.
7 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway intersection complete, 23 November 2010.
8 QLD Government, Operation Queenslander, Works Update, Peak Downs Highway, Walkerston, November 2012.
2 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway upgrades to improve safety, 9 May 2008.
3 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway upgrade to improve safety, 29 September 2008.
4 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Overtaking lane to increase safety and capacity on Peak Downs Highway, 21 May 2009.
5 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway realignment to open soon, 18 June 2009.
6 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Motorists benefit from double upgrade on Peak Downs Highway, 2 October 2009.
7 QLD Government, Department of the Premier and Cabinet, Media Statements, Peak Downs Highway intersection complete, 23 November 2010.
8 QLD Government, Operation Queenslander, Works Update, Peak Downs Highway, Walkerston, November 2012.