Major freight routes reopen
Published Friday, 01 February, 2013 at 03:37 PM
Minister for Transport and Main Roads
The Honourable Scott Emerson
Most of Queensland’s major freight routes have reopened allowing heavy vehicle operators to access communities affected by widespread flooding.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said engineers had this afternoon reopened the Cunningham Highway, at Goondiwindi.
“A convoy of about 100 trucks were escorted along the highway from Goondiwindi yesterday and today the restrictions were lifted,” Mr Emerson said.
“More than 800 kilometres of roads across the state have reopened in the past 48 hours, kick-starting major economic lifelines.
“Main Roads crews and Police are currently escorting heavy vehicles along the Yeppen floodplain to keep the Bruce Highway open, just south of Rockhampton.
“One of my major priorities at the moment is reopening the Capricorn Highway, west of Rockhampton, where floodwaters have washed away the Neerkol Bridge.”
On the rail network, a number of passenger and freight routes remain closed, including Gympie to Rockhampton and between Rosewood and Toowoomba.
“We are also working with Aurizon to reopen the major coal networks as floodwater recede in Central Queensland,” Mr Emerson said.
Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police Service authorised officers have the power to grant limited approval for drivers to travel past restricted road use signs on a state-controlled road.
Freight operators can apply for heavy vehicle permits that cannot be provided through normal processes in affected regions, or when special access is required in cases of emergency.
An example of when this might occur would be for the delivery of essential items such as food or medical supplies.
The Flood Recovery Road Access Group hotline number is 1300 105 647 or alternatively you can email floodrecovery_roadaccess@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Motorists can access up-to-date traffic and travel information by visiting the 131940 Traffic and Travel Information website at www.131940.qld.gov.au or calling 13 19 40.
[ENDS] 1 February 2013
Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637
Transport and Main Roads Minister Scott Emerson said engineers had this afternoon reopened the Cunningham Highway, at Goondiwindi.
“A convoy of about 100 trucks were escorted along the highway from Goondiwindi yesterday and today the restrictions were lifted,” Mr Emerson said.
“More than 800 kilometres of roads across the state have reopened in the past 48 hours, kick-starting major economic lifelines.
“Main Roads crews and Police are currently escorting heavy vehicles along the Yeppen floodplain to keep the Bruce Highway open, just south of Rockhampton.
“One of my major priorities at the moment is reopening the Capricorn Highway, west of Rockhampton, where floodwaters have washed away the Neerkol Bridge.”
On the rail network, a number of passenger and freight routes remain closed, including Gympie to Rockhampton and between Rosewood and Toowoomba.
“We are also working with Aurizon to reopen the major coal networks as floodwater recede in Central Queensland,” Mr Emerson said.
Transport and Main Roads and Queensland Police Service authorised officers have the power to grant limited approval for drivers to travel past restricted road use signs on a state-controlled road.
Freight operators can apply for heavy vehicle permits that cannot be provided through normal processes in affected regions, or when special access is required in cases of emergency.
An example of when this might occur would be for the delivery of essential items such as food or medical supplies.
The Flood Recovery Road Access Group hotline number is 1300 105 647 or alternatively you can email floodrecovery_roadaccess@tmr.qld.gov.au.
Motorists can access up-to-date traffic and travel information by visiting the 131940 Traffic and Travel Information website at www.131940.qld.gov.au or calling 13 19 40.
[ENDS] 1 February 2013
Media contact: Andrew Berkman 0429 128 637