8 March, 2023
$23m to be spent on major road
Toowoomba-Athol Road (Gore Highway) is set for $23.35 million in improvements along a 20-kilometre section between Toowoomba and Southbrook, including several spots at Westbrook.
At Westbrook, the improvements include:
New median island at Boundary Street South intersection and improved signs at Ferguson Road intersection in Westbrook
Wide centre line treatment to reduce the likelihood of head-on crashes between Ferguson Road and Wyreema-Athol Road by providing greater separation between vehicles
New acceleration lane at Main Street intersection.
Work is scheduled to be completed by 2027, weather and construction conditions permitting.
In Toowoomba, the improvements include:
Intersection and midblock improvements at O’Quinn, Devine, Stephen and South streets in Harristown, including new right-turn lanes
New dedicated right-turn lanes at Colvin Street, Ball Street and the Animal Management Centre in Drayton
Notably, the specific improvements mentioned do not include the junction with Old Wyreema Road (Toowoomba Karara Road), which has been the location of multiple crashes in recent years.
Transport and Main Roads Minister Mark Bailey said the funding would deliver important safety improvements along key routes.
“We’ve identified roads with a high crash risk and will deliver improvements to ensure safer journeys on those stretches.
“The TRSP (Targeted Road Safety Program) is primarily funded by the Camera Detected Offence Program, which uses money collected from camera fines to fund important road safety improvements, initiatives and education programs.”
Toowoomba - Cecil Plains Road will also receive funding, to the tune of $27.03 million, along a 71-kilometre section between Newtown and Nangwee.
The 102-kilometre section of the Cunningham Highway between Warwick and Coolmunda, just outside of Inglewood, will receive funding to the tune of $15.88 million.
