Safety and efficiency improved on New England Highway
Published Friday, 29 August, 2008 at 10:05 AM
Minister for Main Roads and Local Government
The Honourable Warren Pitt
Safety and efficiency on the New England Highway through Highfields has been improved thanks to the completion of a four-lane upgrade, which was commissioned today.
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine officially commissioned the four-lane highway upgrade from the northern outskirts of Toowoomba to the northern end of Highfields.
Mr Shine, representing Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt, said completion of the $14 million New England Highway upgrade project through Highfields highlighted the government's commitment to this important link in Queensland.
“With 10,000 vehicles using this road daily, the New England Highway plays a vital role as the only north-south freight traffic link from Toowoomba to the Burnett region," he said.
"This highway upgrade will provide significant benefits to motorists, by improving traffic flow and efficiency through the area.
“Safety has been significantly improved by providing four lanes and reducing the number of accesses to the highway through Highfields," Mr Shine said.
Mr Pitt said the works to upgrade the section of New England Highway were completed in two stages.
“The first project improved safety, especially for school children, with the provision of an enhanced, dedicated set down area separated from the through lanes of traffic," Mr Pitt said.
“A parking area was relocated from the highway to Borghardt Road and a set of traffic and pedestrian signals were installed at the Highfields and Borghardt Road intersections.
“A second project improved the remaining 2.5km section of the highway, duplicating it from two to four lanes from Cawdor Road to Highfields Road and from Borghardt Road to Reis Road.
“The works included several intersection upgrades as well as the installation of raised medians, stormwater drainage infrastructure and route lighting.
“Dedicated turning lanes, intersection slip lanes and sealed road shoulders were also included as part of the works."
Mr Pitt said other critical safety works were also underway in the Toowoomba region.
"I recently announced works had started on the realignment and widening of the highway section between Crows Nest and Pechey," he said.
"The overtaking lane at Pechey Forest was completed in late 2006, four-laning of the highway through Highfields was completed recently and further works are planned between Hampton and Geham."
During the life of the Highfields project, Main Roads worked closely with the community to incorporate their concerns and needs.
"As a result of our consultation, both the community and motorists will benefit from improved safety and traffic flow,” Mr Shine said.
Media contacts: Mr Shine’s Office 4638 5755; Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819
Attorney-General and Minister for Justice and Member for Toowoomba North Kerry Shine officially commissioned the four-lane highway upgrade from the northern outskirts of Toowoomba to the northern end of Highfields.
Mr Shine, representing Main Roads Minister Warren Pitt, said completion of the $14 million New England Highway upgrade project through Highfields highlighted the government's commitment to this important link in Queensland.
“With 10,000 vehicles using this road daily, the New England Highway plays a vital role as the only north-south freight traffic link from Toowoomba to the Burnett region," he said.
"This highway upgrade will provide significant benefits to motorists, by improving traffic flow and efficiency through the area.
“Safety has been significantly improved by providing four lanes and reducing the number of accesses to the highway through Highfields," Mr Shine said.
Mr Pitt said the works to upgrade the section of New England Highway were completed in two stages.
“The first project improved safety, especially for school children, with the provision of an enhanced, dedicated set down area separated from the through lanes of traffic," Mr Pitt said.
“A parking area was relocated from the highway to Borghardt Road and a set of traffic and pedestrian signals were installed at the Highfields and Borghardt Road intersections.
“A second project improved the remaining 2.5km section of the highway, duplicating it from two to four lanes from Cawdor Road to Highfields Road and from Borghardt Road to Reis Road.
“The works included several intersection upgrades as well as the installation of raised medians, stormwater drainage infrastructure and route lighting.
“Dedicated turning lanes, intersection slip lanes and sealed road shoulders were also included as part of the works."
Mr Pitt said other critical safety works were also underway in the Toowoomba region.
"I recently announced works had started on the realignment and widening of the highway section between Crows Nest and Pechey," he said.
"The overtaking lane at Pechey Forest was completed in late 2006, four-laning of the highway through Highfields was completed recently and further works are planned between Hampton and Geham."
During the life of the Highfields project, Main Roads worked closely with the community to incorporate their concerns and needs.
"As a result of our consultation, both the community and motorists will benefit from improved safety and traffic flow,” Mr Shine said.
Media contacts: Mr Shine’s Office 4638 5755; Mr Pitt’s Office 3227 8819