Recovery works on Mount Spec Road are complete after monsoonal weather caused major landslides earlier this year.
The Palaszczuk Government completed recovery works this week, reinstating full access for Paluma-bound motorists.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said nine slopes in total needed stabilisation, with one particular slope requiring removal of six large boulders, each measuring up to four metres in diameter.
“As you can imagine, boulders of that size can’t be carted down the range, so we needed to break them down on site, then remove it,” Mr Bailey said.
“Once the sites were stabilised, we applied jute matting to eight of the nine slopes to protect them from erosion, and concrete to the ninth site, which was at higher risk of further landslips.
“Our crews have worked hard to ensure the road was open to local access by February, and fully open by the busy Easter long weekend, with only intermittent closures since then.
Mr Bailey said the works not only focused on reinstating access on the range, but also restoring its visual appeal.
“Transport and Main Roads worked closely with the Department of Environment and Science on several initiatives to preserve Mount Spec Road’s heritage.
“They applied hydromulch over the matting to stimulate vegetation growth and, given time, these slopes will look like the rest of Mount Spec Road.
“They also coloured the concrete on the remaining slope to blend in with the natural surrounding rock.”
Mr Bailey thanked workers for their efforts and acknowledged the community for its patience throughout the recovery process.
Eligible reconstruction works are jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
