Start for Toowoomba Second Range crossing project

One of Queensland’s highest priority road infrastructure projects has been secured for the state, with the federal and Queensland governments announcing they will deliver the vital Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC).

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure and Regional Development Warren Truss today called for the private sector to register interest in building the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing Project.

He was joined by Queensland Deputy Premier Jeff Seeney and Federal Minister for Industry and Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane to call for the Registration of Interest.

“The Registration of Interest is supported by financial commitments to the project by the Australian and Queensland Governments,” Mr Truss said.

“It sets out the broad scope of works and objectives and invites the private sector to advise of potential interest in being involved.

“The registration process will move to a formal Expression of Interest stage over the next couple of months. A successful contractor will be named later this year, with construction expected to begin by mid-2015.

“The successful proponent will be responsible for the design, construction, financing of the new bypass, as well as for the operations and maintenance, including the collection of toll money.

“This is yet another example of the federal and Queensland governments working together to bring the infrastructure needed in the 21^st century to fruition. It comes on the back of our almost $10 billion partnership to get the Bruce Highway and Gateway North project up to speed.”

Mr Seeney said the TSRC would help drive Queensland’s economic growth by creating jobs and providing a gateway to the state’s resource-rich Surat Basin and the agricultural food bowls of the Darling Downs.

“The TSRC is one of our Government’s top three infrastructure priorities, and the Newman Government has worked tirelessly to secure the Commonwealth funding needed to make this project a reality,” he said.

“It provides the missing link between the Surat Basin, where an estimated $30 billion worth of mining and development projects are now planned or underway, to international gateways and the labour and services supply market in South-East Queensland.

“Additionally, up to 30-40 minutes will be shaved off the total travel time across the range for heavy and super heavy commercial vehicles, with drivers able to avoid up to 16 sets of traffic lights.”

Mr Macfarlane said this significant step towards construction of the Bypass would be welcome news for the people of Toowoomba and the Darling Downs.

“The Coalition understands the importance of regional infrastructure and this project is particularly important, given it will be a vital part of the national freight corridor,” Mr Macfarlane said. 

“The Coalition Government is committed to building the Toowoomba Bypass.”

[ENDS] 31 January 2014

Media Contacts:

Mr Truss: Brett Heffernan 0467 650 020

Mr Macfarlane: James O’Shea 0439 988 829

Mr Seeney: Jane Paterson 0417 281 754

 NB: A fly-over video link of the site, image library and fact sheets are available at www.qld.gov.au/tsrc