Despite rumours to the contrary, the Department of Transport and Main Roads will undertake 2025 dry season maintenance grading along the entire length of the Peninsula Developmental Road from next month. Photo: Cape York Weekly.
The Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) has been quick to dispel rumours the annual dry season maintenance grading of the Peninsula Developmental Road (PDR) had been scrapped for 2025.
Cape York Weekly was contacted by several Cape York council leaders and business operators last week concerned by rumours TMR was set to shelve maintenance grading once the current opening grade had been completed due to budgetary constraints.
However, TMR has confirmed maintenance grading will commence along the entire PDR from July, while re-sheeting works currently under way on a 4-kilometre section of the road south of Archer River are expected to be completed by the end of the month.
Regular maintenance grades are critical to ensuring the PDR – the only road link between Cape York and the rest of Queensland – is driveable for residents, tourists and road transport operators during the dry season.
A TMR spokesperson told Cape York Weekly the department recognised how vital a safe and driveable PDR was to the region’s economic and social wellbeing.
“The Department of Transport and Main Roads understands the importance of maintaining the Peninsula Developmental Road for Cape York communities,” they said.
“Several crews have been carrying out grading to damaged sections on the PDR north of Hann River from flooding experienced during the 2024-2025 wet season; now, with drier conditions, crews will progress south of Hann River, where grading will continue until August 2025.
“Reconstruction works are also underway between Laura and Weipa, and include pavement, scours and washout repairs to sections damaged because of rainfall and flooding associated with disaster events from 2022-23 through to 2024-25.
“The condition of the PDR will continue to be monitored, and further maintenance will be carried out as required until the next wet season begins.”
