Since bushfires damaged a section of the Cunningham Highway at Cunninghams Gap, progress works are currently continuing to restore it.
Construction activities at Cunninghams Gap are ongoing and include the use of tower cranes to advance work on the two largest retaining walls located on the lower side of the highway.
As the project site is situated on a national freight route, these tower cranes are highly effective in minimising traffic disruptions during the downslope retaining wall works.
By operating from fixed positions, the cranes reduce the need for heavy machinery to access the worksite via the road, helping to maintain smoother traffic flow.
Additionally, their ability to lift and position materials behind safety barriers ensures efficient construction processes, shortens the duration of traffic impacts, and enhances safety for both workers and road users.
As part of the project, close to 1,600 tonnes of asphalt and around 9,000 tonnes of concrete have been recycled. Approximately 800 metres of the 1-kilometre rockfall protection fencing has been completed, with the remaining section expected to be finished by early 2026.
During project work hours, traffic is held intermittently for up to 15 minutes for the movement of plant and equipment and to undertake construction activities at Cunninghams Gap from 6am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (excluding public holidays).
Road users may experience longer delays due to oversize overmass (OSOM) vehicles travelling through the Gap, due to the Cunningham Highway being a National Freight Route for OSOM vehicles. All eastbound and westbound traffic is held each time an OSOM vehicle travels through the project site.
Safety improvement works are also progressing on the Cunningham Highway between the Fisher Park Truck Stop (Tregony) and South Branch Road (Maryvale) and are expected to be completed by mid-2026, weather and construction conditions permitting.
During this time, access to the Fisher Park Rest Areas will remain closed. Road users are encouraged to plan their stops at alternative rest areas, including:
- Gladfield Rest Area: Located approximately 16 km west at the intersection of the New England Highway and Goomburra Road.
- Aratula Rest Area