Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said the Diamantina Development Road (Boulia - Dajarra) Rehabilitation and Widening project, some 240km south of Mount Isa was funded under the $100 million Northern Australia Beef Roads Program.

"The Federal Government's investment in Northern Australia Beef Roads is supporting the North's development by specifically targeting high-priority roads such as the Diamantina Developmental Road, which is essential to the movement of people and freight," Mr McCormack said.

Queensland Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the project would reduce travel times and vehicle maintenance costs for the freight industry by improving the road surface and limiting dust.

"This project has also increased safety by allowing for safer overtaking opportunities for the numerous passenger vehicles, caravans, cattle freight and road trains that use the road," Mr Bailey said.

"This is about supporting locals, visitors, Queensland's $5 billion cattle industry and the beef processing sector, which alone supports 18,000 jobs."

Senator for Queensland Susan McDonald said the project had rehabilitated and widened the existing pavement and addressed deficiencies on the road.

"Upgrading about 12km from a narrow single-lane to a six-metre-wide sealed surface has delivered improved productivity, resilience of this piece of road," Senator McDonald said.

"It's estimated that the Diamantina Developmental Road currently carries around 2600 cattle trailers every year and the upgrade will reduce transport costs for this important industry."

The Diamantina Developmental Road (Boulia - Dajarra) Rehabilitation and Widening project was jointly funded, with the Australian Government committing $4.03 million and the Queensland Government committing $1 million.

READ ALSO: Adels Grove still open for business despite fire

While you are here subscribe to our weekly email to your inbox at 6am every Friday