Published Wednesday, 27 February, 2008 at 10:36 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Resurfacing work to start on the Toowoomba Range up-lanes
Main Roads will begin resurfacing the Toowoomba Range up-lanes and the intersection at the top of the range next Tuesday, after completing the down-lanes in December.
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine today welcomed the announcement, which will enhance road safety for motorists.
Mr Pitt said the $2.8 million project to replace and strengthen the road surface would significantly improve safety.
"Motorists are enjoying the improved conditions of the down-lanes," Mr Pitt said.
"The new surface has better traction for heavy vehicles, especially during wet weather. Also, the installation of new, highly reflective signs and 'cats' eyes' has improved safety for motorists."
Mr Shine said works on the up-lanes 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.
"The Toowoomba Range carries almost 20,000 vehicles a day, with more than 15 per cent being heavy, freight-efficient vehicles,'' he said.
"This is a complex operation due to the steep inclines on the Toowoomba Range and the high volumes of traffic travelling up and down the range every day.”
The works on the up lanes will be restricted to night time between 6.30pm and 7.00am because the traffic volumes are lower during these times.
"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 Shine said.
"This will minimise traffic delays and reduce impacts for heavy vehicles which may find it difficult to merge into a busy traffic lane during the day."
Mr Pitt said Main Roads worked with emergency services, local government and representatives from the trucking industry to identify the safety improvements needed on the range road.
"This project will complete the recommended safety improvements," he said.
“The works are expected to be completed by the end of April 2008, weather permitting.”
Main Roads urges motorists to be patient and obey roadworks signs during the up-lane works for their own safety and for the safety of road workers.
Media contact: Toowoomba North Electorate Office – 4638 5755
Minister Pitt’s Office – 3227 8819
Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine today welcomed the announcement, which will enhance road safety for motorists.
Mr Pitt said the $2.8 million project to replace and strengthen the road surface would significantly improve safety.
"Motorists are enjoying the improved conditions of the down-lanes," Mr Pitt said.
"The new surface has better traction for heavy vehicles, especially during wet weather. Also, the installation of new, highly reflective signs and 'cats' eyes' has improved safety for motorists."
Mr Shine said works on the up-lanes 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.
"The Toowoomba Range carries almost 20,000 vehicles a day, with more than 15 per cent being heavy, freight-efficient vehicles,'' he said.
"This is a complex operation due to the steep inclines on the Toowoomba Range and the high volumes of traffic travelling up and down the range every day.”
The works on the up lanes will be restricted to night time between 6.30pm and 7.00am because the traffic volumes are lower during these times.
"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 Shine said.
"This will minimise traffic delays and reduce impacts for heavy vehicles which may find it difficult to merge into a busy traffic lane during the day."
Mr Pitt said Main Roads worked with emergency services, local government and representatives from the trucking industry to identify the safety improvements needed on the range road.
"This project will complete the recommended safety improvements," he said.
“The works are expected to be completed by the end of April 2008, weather permitting.”
Main Roads urges motorists to be patient and obey roadworks signs during the up-lane works for their own safety and for the safety of road workers.
Media contact: Toowoomba North Electorate Office – 4638 5755
Minister Pitt’s Office – 3227 8819