Work to start on the Toowoomba Range road resurfacing

Main Roads will begin a complex $4 million project to resurface the Toowoomba Range road at the end of the month.

Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt said the project to replace and strengthen the road surface would significantly improve safety.

"The Toowoomba Range road carries almost 20,000 vehicles a day, and 15 per cent of these are heavy freight vehicles,'' Mr Pitt said.

"The new surface will provide better traction for heavy trucks, especially during wet weather."

Mr Pitt said works would involve digging out sections of the road where the surface was badly damaged, replacing the old pavement and then resurfacing the lanes with asphalt from top to bottom.

"This is a complex operation due to the steep inclines on the Toowoomba Range road and the high volumes of traffic travelling up and down the range every day," he said.

"Work crews will start on the down lanes first, working in daylight hours.

"Only one lane will be closed at a time, and there will be traffic controllers on site to keep traffic flowing through the works and delays to a minimum."

Mr Pitt said work on the down lanes would finish in early December, with resurfacing on the up lanes due to start in January next year.

"Works on the up lanes will be carried out at night between 8pm and 6am due to traffic volumes being lower during these times.

"This will minimise traffic delays and reduce impacts for heavy vehicle drivers who may find it difficult to merge into a busy traffic lane during the day."

Mr Pitt asked motorists to be patient and obey roadworks signs during the works for their own safety and for the safety of road workers.

Media contact: Minister Pitt’s Office 3227 8819