Murphys Creek Overpass taking shape

• Early works ramping up on the Murphys Creek Road and Postmans Ridge Road realignment
• The two upgrades form part of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) project
• TSRC will assist in managing increasing heavy vehicle movements from the Surat Basin and Darling Downs regions

Early works have started to ramp up on the Murphys Creek Road overpass and Postmans Ridge Road realignment, two upgrades which form part of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing (TSRC) project.

Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester said the TSRC project would provide an alternative route for motorists and minimise heavy vehicles on local roads - improving road safety for the local community in Murphys Creek and the broader Toowoomba region.

“TSRC is the largest regional road project currently underway in Australia.  This project will support up to 1,800 direct and indirect jobs during design and construction, with many of those jobs going to locals,” Mr Chester said.

“This is part of our record $75 billion infrastructure investment programme. It will support the movement of freight from the Surat Basin and Darling Downs region, while also improving road safety and local amenity.

“These upgrades, along with the broader TSRC, will ensure residents of this region remain connected to major cities such as Brisbane.”

Queensland Minister for Main Roads and Road Safety Mark Bailey said both projects, the Murphys Creek Road overpass and the Postmans Ridge Road intersection upgrade, would improve access for local residents.

“At Murphys Creek Road, a bridge will be constructed over the TSRC to maintain connectivity between Murphys Creek Road and the Warrego Highway,” Mr Bailey said.

“To construct the overpass, a temporary detour alongside Murphys Creek Road will be built to ensure two-way traffic is maintained during the overpass construction and to reduce delays for motorists.

“The new Postmans Ridge Road alignment will connect the existing Postmans Ridge Road (East) to Murphys Creek Road.”

Federal Member for Wright Scott Buchholz said the new overpass would be a vital piece of infrastructure for the local area that will improve connectivity to the Warrego Highway.

“The Murphys Creek Road overpass forms part of an optimal design approach that will maintain connectivity for the local traffic network after the TSRC is built,” Mr Buchholz said.

“In addition, the Postmans Ridge Road realignment will connect with Murphys Creek Road, with a new bridge on Murphys Creek Road to be constructed over the TSRC ensuring ongoing local road access. This involves extending Postmans Ridge Road (East) approximately 1.6km adjacent to the Toowoomba Second Range.”

Key features of the Postmans Ridge Road realignment include:

• a new 1.58km long section of Postmans Ridge Road to connect the existing eastern end of Postmans Ridge Road to Murphys Creek Road;
• Murphys Creek Road overpass bridge; and
• a cul-de-sac at the western end of Postmans Ridge Road, which will include a turnaround area suitable for heavy vehicles.

Works on the Murphys Creek Road overpass and Postmans Ridge realignment are scheduled for completion by late 2017.

The Australian Government has committed up to $1.137 billion, representing 80 per cent of the cost of the Toowoomba Second Range Crossing project. The Queensland government is contributing 20 per cent through a Public Private Partnership with the Nexus consortium.

ENDS

Media contact:          Zoe Russell - 0428 079 640