During World War II, road works practically ceased when department resources were diverted to essential defence projects. Road construction was directed towards inland defence roads to cope with the large convoys of heavily laden army vehicles.
Nundah Workshop during war years
Projects included the construction of military encampments, airfields, fortifications, fuel storage tanks, rifle ranges, parade grounds, docks and jetties.
Defence works built between 1940–1945
Charters Towers Aerodrome under construction
Construction work between Queensland and the Northern Territory created vital links to Darwin. The Australia Defence Road built during 1940 between Tennant Creek and Birdum, north of Daly Waters, filled in the missing link between the railway from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the south, and the railway from Birdum to Darwin in the north.
First pictures of the New East-West Road. This video shows the contribution the Main Roads Department made to the war effort. Please note this video has no sound.
Construction work between Queensland and the Northern Territory created vital links to Darwin. The Australia Defence Road built during 1940 between Tennant Creek and Birdum, north of Daly Waters, filled in the missing link between the railway from Adelaide to Alice Springs in the south, and the railway from Birdum to Darwin in the north.
The road builders lived on the job, dependent on the butcher's truck or railway to bring in their provision from the nearest town. Men usually lived together in tents, cooking their own food over an open fire and washing and cleaning the best they could. They were not encouraged to bring their wife and family however some families did make a life in the camps. Later more permanent camps were established, and conditions began to improve.
Reinholds Camp at Millaa-Millaa, Men on verandah of hut at Reinholds Camp at Millaa-Millaa
Main Roads Department camp near Robson's Ridge on Cairns Range
Earthworks
Widening of Woodford-Kilcoy Road
Department of Transport and the Queensland Road Safety Council were established in 1947.
The last occasion on which the Main Roads Commission used horses in road building was in October 1948, with the last horses sold in March 1949.