Work to seal more of Cape York’s iconic Peninsula Developmental Road has been halted due to heavy rain.
The Transport and Main Roads department said the Coen South and Archer to Wolverton sealing projects, which span 35 kilometres, had always been due to stop during the wet season. Full-scale work is expected to resume in April or May.
Cook Shire Mayor Peter Scott said that the state government was working hard to get the road going north sealed, and that it would bring enormous benefits.
“The sealed road will improve resilience in our towns, open the cape to tourism and provide more health amenities to people there. It will also keep freight costs down as we rely on road transport,” he told the Cairns Post. “The key to the importance of sealing the road is that it’s also resulted in business development and upskilling to provide gravel, equipment, and workmen on jobs.”
Experts say the wet season rain is unlikely to cause too much damage to already-sealed sections of the road, and a five-tonne load limit has been put in place to reduce any effects on unsealed sections.
However, grey nomads and other off-season travellers are warned that the rains can cause flooding at river crossings, and result in temporary closures on the Peninsula Developmental Road and to roads to some remote communities.
· Will more sealed road make you more likely to visit Cape York? Do you ever travel in the north during the wet season? Comment below.
Sealed roads to the Cape would absolutely encourage us to travel further north….. Yay! Cannot wait for it to be done….
How far is it sealed to not please?
Sealed roads will do nothing to decrease freight costs, means more inexperienced travellers will be stranded, during inclemant weather costing more in rescues
Absolutely!
Be real good having the road sealed, been to Cairns once from Brisbane, always wanted to go back and see more. It is a long drive, so I will really enjoy my next trip.
Can anyone give an update on far the sealing of the cape york development road has progressed.