Razorback Road reopens following major improvement works

Published on 31 January 2025

Mount Morgan’s Razorback Road will reopen tomorrow, following four months of major reconstruction works to improve the road’s safety and accessibility.

Rockhampton Region Mayor Tony Williams said he is thrilled to announce the completion of the project and the resulting improvements.  

“This project has involved significant excavation, earthmoving and road reconstruction and the difference it has made to the safety of this road is phenomenal,” Mayor Williams said.

“The Razorback has long been a safety concern, particularly due to its narrow lanes and steep incline, and I am confident that drivers will be very pleased with the changes that have been made over the last few months.

“Roughly 1,000 dump truck loads of earth have been removed from this site to reduce its gradient and more than 800 metres of new road added. 

“It’s now much wider, expanding from its the original width of 7.5 to 8 metres to between 9 and 9.6 meters, with a one metre shoulder added on each side.

“The sharp curve you’d previously encounter at the top section of the road has been flattened, and the incline of the road is now less steep in this section with up to 2.5m of vertical material removed.”

Mayor Williams highlighted that safety improvements also include additional signage and the installation of guardrails as well as improved drainage and the renewal of six culverts.

"I’m really proud of the work that has gone into this project and that Council could deliver this for the community,” Mayor Williams said.

Divisional Councillor Cherie Rutherford said a sincere thanks goes to the Mount Morgan community for their patience while works were underway.

“The upgrade works were conducted in conjunction with the Mount Morgan Water Supply Project, allowing us to address the road upgrade and improve driver safety in the long term,” Cr Rutherford said.

“We understand that completely closing this road and having the Range as the primary route presented a challenge at times, and we greatly appreciate the community’s support.

“It’s wonderful that we can now reopen the road partially and whether you drive the Razorback daily or pass through occasionally, I am confident you’ll be really happy with the improvements.”

The road will be open from midday tomorrow.

Minor finishing works, including line marking and pipeline works will be completed over the next two weeks with some sections of Razorback Road reduced to single lanes during this time.

The Razorback Road improvements were funded through Council’s Capital Works Program and carried out by local business Schwarz Excavations.