Parts of Queensland's Flinders Highway are like "confetti" after the floods disaster which swamped parts of the state.
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Major repairs have begun to roads and rail lines in north west Queensland as water from the floods slowly recede.
However, thousands of kilometres of road remain closed or have restricted access across the top of the state.
Queensland Rail crews have noted damage to 204 sites and more than 300 kilometres of track on the Mount Isa trail line, including 40 kilometres of major washouts between Cloncurry and Hughenden.
Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey, who this week visited the region to assess the damage, said floods had turned sections of the Flinders Highway into "road confetti".
"I was picking up bits of the road and bending them easily, like putty in my hands, so that gives you an indication of how much water has gone through there," he said.
Mr Bailey said Transport and Main Roads crews had begun repairs.
"They are doing good work in extreme temperatures and have made a fair bit of progress removing livestock carcasses from the roads," he said.
"We're looking to reopen the Flinders Highway as soon as we can, even if that's down to one lane."
Mr Bailey said assessments over the next few days would give Queensland Rail some guidance on the repairs required for the Mount Isa train line.
"But clearly one of the biggest logistical challenges with this recovery is the train wreck at Nelia," he said.
"It will be a major operation to remove those wagons.
"The ground out there is still incredibly soft, so a temporary road will probably need to be built parallel to the rail line to allow for the wagons to be lifted off the line."
Mr Bailey said water from the flood was still closing roads near the Gulf on Tuesday, causing difficulties with access for residents and crews heading there to help with the recovery.
The damage bill from Queensland's summer of disasters is expected to hit $1.5 billion.
So far, $13.9 million in government grants has gone to 71,000 people for emergency hardship assistance.
Charity GIVIT has helped facilitate the donation of more than 100,000 items.
The North Queensland Floods Appeal has reached more than $6.7 million in the two weeks since it was launched.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, who has spent several days inspecting recovery efforts in north and north-west Queensland, thanked those who donated.
"The flood waters may be gone in most parts," she said.
"What I've heard from speaking with people in these communities who were badly impacted is that they're hurting, they will be dealing with this disaster for a long time to come."
