The Government of Queensland in Australia is planning to invest A$42m ($31.2m) to widen narrow sections of the Gregory Developmental Road, with works expected to begin in the next few weeks.

The project will see the widening of a 34km road stretch between Bluff Downs Road and the Greenvale Mine access road. 

Initially, a 5.5km road section will be widened between Bluff Downs Road and the Basalt River Bridge.

Road widening works are expected to be complete in late-2019.

"By widening the road to 8m, with two bitumen lanes, we will improve safety and better cater to increasing volumes of traffic."

Queensland’s Charters Towers Regional Council and RoadTek will be responsible for widening eight sections of Gregory Developmental Road north of Charters Towers.

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said: "These widening and strengthening works will be welcomed by industry, locals, and tourists.

"The northern section of Gregory Developmental Road is very narrow and can be difficult for smaller vehicles and large road trains to navigate.

"By widening the road to 8m, with two bitumen lanes, we will improve safety and better cater to increasing volumes of traffic."

Bailey further added that the government will be making a significant investment to improve the key north-south inland freight route. 

The new project is expected to enhance economic opportunities for the rural and regional communities, as well as serving as an alternative road to Bruce Highway.