PROJECTS to improve flood immunity and repair roads damaged during the 2019 North Queensland monsoon are almost complete.
The Flinders Highway at Hughenden, Richmond and Nelia, the Kennedy Developmental Road, the Richmond-Winton Road and the Burke Developmental Road have all been undergoing work.
Townsville-based Senator Susan McDonald said the projects had been delivered through the $242 million exceptional circumstances package.
"Following the disastrous flooding last year, Transport and Main Roads identified 10 flood-prone sites for improvement, with five completed and most of the remaining expected to be finished before the next wet season," Ms McDonald said.
"Given the severe damage to the Flinders Highway, the projects will ensure roads can stay open to North and Far North Queensland regions.
"We are committed to supporting flood-affected communities, invested in restoring and improving damaged roads during this difficult time.
"Regional transport routes play an important role in our economic recovery from COVID-19 because they can keep tourists moving safely to the many terrific destinations we have to offer, miners can get minerals to ports, and graziers can get their cattle to markets."
Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said TMR had spent $10.78 million on betterment works to May 31, 2020, with further works scheduled over coming months.
"Priority projects to stabilise the Flinders Highway with cement and make it more durable were completed from Hughenden to Richmond and at Nelia in December last year," Mr Bailey said.
"Other works were recently completed on Richmond-Winton Road, which was used as a detour for heavy vehicles when flood damage temporarily closed the Flinders Highway in 2019.
"We recently completed concreting the slopes on Kennedy Developmental Road (Hughenden-Winton).
"Further works will continue on the southern section until late this year to strengthen the surface.
"Works on Burke Developmental Road started in late April this year to seal a section and strengthen the surface.
"These works are expected to be completed in September, weather permitting.
"In Far North Queensland, the timber Isabella Creek Bridge will be topped with concrete to make the surface more flood resistant.
"In Central Western Queensland, we will stabilise the road with foam bitumen on the Landsborough Highway between Winton and Kynuna."