Clermont-Alpha road has been sealed, 65 kilometres north of Alpha

Another five kilometres of the Clermont-Alpha road was sealed with bitumen, 65 kilometres north of Alpha, under the $3.01 million project funded through the Regional Economic Enabling Fund (REEF).

The road improvements include extending the road width to eight metres, providing additional overtaking opportunities and improving safety, travel times, reliability and wet weather access.

The project was jointly funded by the Australian and Queensland governments on an 80:20 basis.

Minister for Agriculture and Northern Australia David Littleproud said investing in lasting road infrastructure is a secure way of supporting the national economy.

"The Clermont-Alpha Road is a key strategic route to growing regional Australia's beef industry," Mr Littleproud said.

"This latest upgrade further improves essential links between goods and markets, as well as connecting people with jobs and services.

"This is another example of the Federal Coalition Government's record $110 billion nationwide infrastructure plan driving regional Queensland jobs and growth, and securing Australia's world-leading economic recovery."

In 2019, the Northern Australia Beef Roads Program delivered 17 new kilometres of sealed bitumen for the Clermont-Alpha road.

Related: Clermont-Alpha Road benefits under Northern Australia Beef Roads Program

Queensland Assistant Regional Roads Minister Bruce Saunders said the project had extended the existing sealed section of road by another five kilometres, north of Alpha.

"These sealing works are critical to improving safety, they reduce travel times and make the road more accessible during wet weather," Mr Saunders said.

"Works started in November 2020 and have been completed this month (July 2021) with local council road crews delivering the project on time and on budget.

"This work will also help support the Palaszczuk Government's long-term vision to build an inland freight route from Charters Towers to Mungindi, taking heavy haulage off the Bruce Highway.

"This project is part of the Palaszczuk government's record $27.5 billion roads and transport investment over four years, which is creating 24,000 jobs, and helping to drive Queensland's economic recovery.

"This includes a $328.3 million funding commitment for Central West Queensland, creating an average of 400 direct jobs."

Barcaldine Regional Council Mayor Sean Dillon said the project had contributed to employment stability for its road crews, while leaving a lasting long-term legacy.

"Sealing another section of the Clermont-Alpha Road has delivered a tangible benefit of great value to our communities and the freight, agricultural and mining industries which rely on a resilient and reliable road network to live and grow both now and into the future," Cr Dillon said.